Skip to main content

What are some benefits of signing the petition in the book Lyddie?

A petition is being circulated among the girls and women who work at Concord Corporation by the Female Labor Reform Association. Lyddie's friend Diana is very active in the Association and tries to get workers to sign the petition, which calls on the factories to reduce their work days from thirteen hours per day to ten. The primary reason workers would want to sign the petition is that it would pressure the factories to all...

A petition is being circulated among the girls and women who work at Concord Corporation by the Female Labor Reform Association. Lyddie's friend Diana is very active in the Association and tries to get workers to sign the petition, which calls on the factories to reduce their work days from thirteen hours per day to ten. The primary reason workers would want to sign the petition is that it would pressure the factories to all change their hours, allowing all the workers at all the factories to have more time for themselves. Although Lyddie had previously worked sixteen hours a day at the tavern, for much less pay, the fact is that a thirteen-hour work day means that the workers are almost slaves. Yes, they are paid for their work, but when they have only a few waking hours a day to call their own, not much separates them from slaves. Additionally, the long work days at the factories are bad for the workers' health. Workers seem to be able to keep up with the pace initially, but the girls get worn out and some succumb to serious sicknesses due to the long hours and poor air quality in the mill. If the petition was successful in causing the manufacturers to shorten the work day, workers would have more time to pursue their personal interests, such as education, and would have a better chance of staying healthy.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What are some external and internal conflicts that Montag has in Fahrenheit 451?

 Montag, the protagonist of Fahrenheit 451, faces both external and internal conflicts throughout the novel. Some examples of these conflicts are: External Conflicts: Conflict with the society: Montag lives in a society that prohibits books and critical thinking. He faces opposition from the government and the people who enforce this law. Montag struggles to come to terms with the fact that his society is based on censorship and control. Conflict with his wife: Montag's wife, Mildred, is completely absorbed in the shallow and meaningless entertainment provided by the government. Montag's growing dissatisfaction with his marriage adds to his external conflict. Conflict with the fire captain: Montag's superior, Captain Beatty, is the personification of the oppressive regime that Montag is fighting against. Montag's struggle against Beatty represents his external conflict with the government. Internal Conflicts: Conflict with his own beliefs: Montag, at the beginning of th...
Post a Comment
Read more

In A People's History of the United States, why does Howard Zinn feel that Wilson made a flimsy argument for entering World War I?

"War is the health of the state," the radical writer Randolph Bourne said, in the midst of the First World War. Indeed, as the nations of Europe went to war in 1914, the governments flourished, patriotism bloomed, class struggle was stilled, and young men died in frightful numbers on the battlefields-often for a hundred yards of land, a line of trenches. -- Chapter 14, Page 350, A People's History of the United States Howard Zinn outlines his arguments for why World War I was fought in the opening paragraph of Chapter 14 (referenced above). The nationalism that was created by the Great War benefited the elite political and financial leadership of the various countries involved. Socialism, which was gaining momentum in Europe, as was class struggle, took a backseat to mobilizing for war. Zinn believes that World War I was fought for the gain of the industrial capitalists of Europe in a competition for capital and resources. He states that humanity itself was punished by t...
Post a Comment
Read more

Where did Atticus take the light and extension cord in To Kill a Mockingbird?

Atticus brings the light to the courthouse jail so that he can protect Tom Robinson.  Atticus learns that Tom Robinson, his client, is in danger.  A group of white men want to prevent the trial and lynch Robinson. He is warned by a small group of men that appear at his house.  He refuses to back down.  Atticus knows that the Cunninghams will target his client, so he plans to sit up all night with... Atticus brings the light to the courthouse jail so that he can protect Tom Robinson.  Atticus learns that Tom Robinson, his client, is in danger.  A group of white men want to prevent the trial and lynch Robinson. He is warned by a small group of men that appear at his house.  He refuses to back down.  Atticus knows that the Cunninghams will target his client, so he plans to sit up all night with Jim if that’s what it takes to protect him.  Atticus tells the men that he will make sure his client gets his fair shake at the law.  “Link, that boy might go to the chair, but he’s not going till ...
Post a Comment
Read more