Exploring the Text

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  1. In the first paragraph, Jacob Riis writes, “The one thing you shall vainly ask for in the chief city of America is a distinctly American community.” Do you find that statement ironic? Do you find it characteristic of our idea of the “melting pot”? Explain.

    Question

    ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=
    Exploring the Text: - In the first paragraph, Jacob Riis writes, “The one thing you shall vainly ask for in the chief city of America is a distinctly American community.” Do you find that statement ironic? Do you find it characteristic of our idea of the “melting pot”? Explain.
  2. Riis, in paragraphs 2 and 3, describes the “picturesquely autocratic” Irish landlord; in paragraph 5, he states, “In justice to the Irish landlord it must be said that like an apt pupil he was merely showing forth the result of the schooling he had received, re-enacting, in his own way, the scheme of the tenements.” What does Riis mean by that last statement? What is his larger point that this example of the Irish serves to support?

    Question

    ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=
    Exploring the Text: - Riis, in paragraphs 2 and 3, describes the “picturesquely autocratic” Irish landlord; in paragraph 5, he states, “In justice to the Irish landlord it must be said that like an apt pupil he was merely showing forth the result of the schooling he had received, re-enacting, in his own way, the scheme of the tenements.” What does Riis mean by that last statement? What is his larger point that this example of the Irish serves to support?
  3. Riis refers to the “German rag-picker,” the “Italian scavenger,” the “Irish hod-carrier,” and the “Chinese coolie” (pars. 7 and 8). Do you read these phrases as stereotypes? Are they offensive? Why or why not? Why has Riis chosen to use these examples?

    Question

    ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=
    Exploring the Text: - Riis refers to the “German rag-picker,” the “Italian scavenger,” the “Irish hod-carrier,” and the “Chinese coolie” (pars. 7 and 8). Do you read these phrases as stereotypes? Are they offensive? Why or why not? Why has Riis chosen to use these examples?
  4. How does Riis characterize the immigrant in paragraph 8? Is this characterization inconsistent or consistent with the previous paragraphs? Explain.

    Question

    ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=
    Exploring the Text: - How does Riis characterize the immigrant in paragraph 8? Is this characterization inconsistent or consistent with the previous paragraphs? Explain.
  5. Look very carefully at the diction and imagery Riis uses in paragraphs 10 and 11. How do his rhetorical choices characterize the immigrant’s struggle? How do these choices reflect the relationship between Riis and his likely audience?

    Question

    ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=
    Exploring the Text: - Look very carefully at the diction and imagery Riis uses in paragraphs 10 and 11. How do his rhetorical choices characterize the immigrant’s struggle? How do these choices reflect the relationship between Riis and his likely audience?
  6. What do you see as Riis’s purpose in this piece? To what extent do you believe he succeeds in achieving that purpose?

    Question

    ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=
    Exploring the Text: - What do you see as Riis’s purpose in this piece? To what extent do you believe he succeeds in achieving that purpose?
  7. What is most striking about the photos that accompany this essay? What argument is Riis making through them? Cite specific details that support his claim(s).

    Question

    ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=
    Exploring the Text: - What is most striking about the photos that accompany this essay? What argument is Riis making through them? Cite specific details that support his claim(s).
  8. Although Riis did feature individuals, especially children, in some of his photos, more often he chose to depict a group image. Why? What is the impact of de-emphasizing the individual in these group portraits?

    Question

    ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=
    Exploring the Text: - Although Riis did feature individuals, especially children, in some of his photos, more often he chose to depict a group image. Why? What is the impact of de-emphasizing the individual in these group portraits?
  9. In the introduction to How the Other Half Lives, Riis wrote the following:

    Long ago it was said that “one half of the world does not know how the other half lives.” That was true then. It did not know because it did not care. The half that was on top cared little for the struggles, and less for the fate, of those who were underneath, so long as it was able to hold them there and keep its own seat.

    In what ways does this essay with the accompanying photographs insist that the “half that was on top” pay attention to and care about the “struggles” and “fate” of the “other half”? How does Riis appeal to the conscience and fears of the middle- and upper-class viewer?

    Question

    ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=
    Exploring the Text: - In the introduction to How the Other Half Lives, Riis wrote the following:Long ago it was said that “one half of the world does not know how the other half lives.” That was true then. It did not know because it did not care. The half that was on top cared little for the struggles, and less for the fate, of those who were underneath, so long as it was able to hold them there and keep its own seat.In what ways does this essay with the accompanying photographs insist that the “half that was on top” pay attention to and care about the “struggles” and “fate” of the “other half”? How does Riis appeal to the conscience and fears of the middle- and upper-class viewer?