The Woman Behind the New Deal - 813 Words

The first half of Kirstin Downeys book, The Woman Behind the New Deal chronologically explores the Frances Perkins life up until her early years as the Secretary of Labor under President Roosevelt. She was not only a vital labor advocate but a womans suffrage leader. Her up-bringing, education, influences, alliances, work history, and the changing world around her shaped her into an extraordinary person. She is an outstanding example of the â€Å"New Women† in the progressive era. She lived her life like a calculated chess player; practically every step that she took whether it be personal, professional, or in public appeared to be tactical. First, in her private life she demonstrated her capacity to be unconventional. She was brave not afraid to take a position that was not popular with the people around her. For example, in her youth she told adults in her conservative Republican community that she was a Democrat to get a reaction out of them (). Her interactions with her t raditional mother, an avid church goer certainly shaped Frances Perkins perceptions of the poor and motivated her to help them. Her mother encouraged her to do works of charity and get to know the poor. After graduating college, she became more non-traditional moving to the city to teach and to then she pursued social work, which was highly unusual for a woman her time. Even her marriage to her husband Paul was unorthodox, they had a simple ceremony without inviting her family or friends. Plus, sheShow MoreRelatedReview Of The Snows Of Kilimanjaro And Fitzgerald Winter Dreams 1678 Words   |  7 Pagespresented by Hemingway in The Snows of Kilimanjaro and Fitzgerald in Winter Dreams both represent the struggle of two men each dealing with their place in society as it relates to being male and the economic class each occupies. The driving force behind each man, both positive and negative, is represented in the relationship each has with the story’s female character. The analysis of the two stories begins with the autobiographical approach both writers have used to tell the stories. FitzgeraldRead MoreConflicts of the Narrator- the Yellow Wallpaper1482 Words   |  6 PagesWallpaper,† the narrator must deal with several different conflicts. She is diagnosed with â€Å"temporary nervous depression and a slight hysterical tendency† (Gilman 221). Most of her conflicts, such as, differentiating from creativity and reality, her sense of entrapment by her husband, and not fitting in with the stereotypical role of women in her time, are centered around her mental illness and she has to deal with them. 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The late 1800’s when the play was published saw more than it’s fair share of sexism but the twist comes with Nora leaving Torvald at the end of the play, which at the time was unheard of. More often than not this play leaves the reader siding with Nora and for a good reasonRead MoreEleanor Roosevelt : Long Range Goal1005 Words   |  5 PagesAnna Eleanor Roosevelt Isra El-khateeb Long-Range Goal: To inform listeners about the legacy and inspirational status Eleanor Roosevelt left behind. Immediate Purpose: To entertain and inspire my audience by honoring the roles Eleanor Roosevelt played and describing the impact she has on our daily life. INTRODUCTION I. Arouse Audience Interest in the Topic A. It is difficult in a sense to capture the greatness of Eleanor’s life in simple terms through her background, but we will surely uncoverRead MoreHomosexuality : Quest For A Utopian World Essay1303 Words   |  6 PagesINTRODUCTION The proposed research work will be entitled â€Å"Homosexuality: Quest for a Utopian World†. The genre of the proposed work will deal in detail with the prevailing issue of homosexuality (both gay and lesbian) and try to justify their quest for a world where they can live without their integrity being questioned. The research will cover the history of homosexuality; how it has been seen through ages and the present scenario. Setting the background in comparative studies the proposed research