Please post commensts about the stories you read from your group. What did you like about the story? How did it help you learn more about the Great Depression? What historical facts did the person include?
Allie- I really liked how your story portrayed the sense of adventure that came along with riding the rails. One assumes that the hobos riding trains were miserable, but I like that your story gave a somewhat positive light to the situation that your character was in. I also enjoyed that you added in the bit about the hobos working the people at the diner to get food, and how the hunger had changed the hobo’s life.
Victoria- First of all I thought it was great that you incorporated a quote from Hoover into your story; it really gave us the hobo’s perspective on politics during the Depression. I also found the imagery you used in describing their home life to be very interesting. I appreciated that you illustrated how different people viewed riding the rails differently by making the brothers’ have opposing feelings on jumping trains.
Meghan- I liked that you wrote about a group of boys traveling together; it was interesting to hear the perspective of someone traveling with a group rather than alone. I also liked the banner that you mentioned in the story because often many towns and cities did turn away homeless people. Your story illustrated the despair that many teen hobos felt from not getting a job very well.
Micaela- I like how you referenced the Dustbowl at the start of your story, because not only did it provide historical context, it set your story up with the idea of despair, which you showed throughout the entire thing. Even though your story was sad, it really did show the dangers of riding the rails, because not only did kids and teenagers starve, but they were at risk the second they jumped onto the train. Your description of the Dustbowl as well as your references to lack of work, poverty, etc. really fit nicely in the story.
Victoria- You did a really great job including lots of different historical info. I liked that you included a quote from President Hoover, and you did a great job with your detailed description of hobo life, especially including the different emotions and reactions from people of all ages at the camps. You also portrayed the anxiety, stress, and doubtful attitudes of those riding the rails and those that had lost jobs. It made me think about the Great Depression and hardship from multiple angles, not just those of the teenagers that left home.
Allie- I liked that you made it apparent that some kids willingly left home. Not only did some kids leave home, but they left worried they had to send money back home. It added great historical reference. I also like that you included how riding the trains was somewhat adventurous, because that gave the story a little bit of a "lighthearted" feeling. I also like that you included the information about the smoke. When I was writing my story, I didn't even think of that element of danger, so it was interesting to read about it in yours.
I would first like to say that both Philip's and Phoebe's pieces did a great job of exhibiting the emotional and economic struggle of the Great Depression and teenage hobos.
Phoebe- I specifically liked how you wrote in a 'Southern accent'. That really made the story easier to imagine and I could actually hear it in my head. You mentioned the extreme hunger, the droughts, and the loneliness in the story, which are important aspects of being a teenage hobo, as well as the fact that the girl was extremely young (only 15). You also talked about the 'jungles' or the hobo camps, as well as the 'bulls', which are people who pulled the kids out of the trains and punished them. We talked about these in class, and they are also important.
Philip- I love how your first sentence was: "I honestly have no idea where I am,". I think this sentence by itself shows lots about teenage hoboing- the loneliness, the aspect of wandering. I also noticed that you went into a fairly large amount of detail about the stock market crash, and the effects the crash and general depression had on families. This also includes the Dust Bowl, which was made clear. The 'bulls' were also mentioned in depth as well.
Allie: I liked how you described riding the rails as an adventure. I think the way you wrote really protrayed a strong southern accent as well. Opening the story with describing your character's hunger really set the standard for how life was for many teens on the rails. Also, I liked how you included the part that it was extremely hard to find work, even in such a large city like New York. It really created an accurate picture of how prominent unemployment had become during the Great Depression.
Micaela: I liked how you included specific details of the dustbowl and how it had affected the family. I also liked how you really focused on the danger of riding the rails. Although many saw it as an adventure, I liked how you described that many teens would do whatever it took to survive. You clearly illustrated the hardships many hobos endured while riding the rails and even the friendships and tradgedies they encountered.
Meaghan: I liked how you wrote from the prospective of teens that were forced to leave home and didn't leave my choice. I also liked how you included the sibling relationship as well elaborated on relationships many hobos formed with teens their age while riding the rails. Lastly, I really liked how you described New York as being the same as everywhere else. I thought this clearlt portrayed how everyone was struggling during the Great Depression to get work and food, not just certain areas of the country.
Sarah - I really liked the idea of the red sundress and everything it represents. Although the narrator, Cassidy, has undergone a lot, with her leaving home, being robbed by thieves, and now having to work at a butcher shop, she still holds on to part of her past. The red sundress represents her inner femininity and who she once was: someone who didn't have to struggle and worry about whether they were going to survive another day or not. Your story helped teach me about the struggle teens would have to go through after leaving their homes, including having odd jobs in order to get money to survive and eating scraps like burnt chicken. You also mention how well everything for Cassidy was going before the Depression and how everything changed after that, which helps display how radical change occurred in people's lives so quickly after the Stock Market Crash.
Phoebe - I like how your story starts in the middle, and doesn't have a definite ending; it's up to the reader's imagination once the narrator makes it to the hobo jungles. I also highly enjoy how you wrote in a Southern accent with very informal language, as well as having your narrator be running away from abusive parents. You talked about drought and hunger, both cases during the Great Depression and during the Dust Bowl. Evading the aggressive bulls on the boxcar are also mentioned, which is very historically accurate, as well as the arrival at the jungles, and your character also doesn't have very much money due to the Depression.
Holly – I liked the dialect you used in your story because it made the story very believable. I also liked the last part, about how her brother might not be any better off than the young boy in the corner. I think that is an important point, because it shows that a lot of the teenage hobos that left home didn’t keep in touch with their families. Also, a lot of the kids that left wondered how and if their families were surviving at home just as much as their families wondered if they were still alive.
Eliza –I liked that you wrote about someone who loses their brother, because it shows the violent and often tragic side of riding the rails. I also liked the last few sentences because they showed me the conflict the narrator is feeling. She wants to grieve for her brother but feels like a child when she starts to cry. Your story really showed me that a lot of the teenagers riding the rails probably struggled with these feelings while away from home.
Philip- I liked the fact that you wrote your story from the perspective of an intelligent hobo who hoped to make great accomplishments someday because this concept offered a unique contrast to the stereotype of teenage hobos. From reading your story, I learned that some teenage hobos were unaware of the harsh economic situations in other areas of America during the Great Depression until they heard stories from fellow passengersduring rides in the boxcars. Your story included historical facts about bulls, the transition between the surplus of crops for farmers and the Dust Bowl, the stock market crash (Black Tuesday) and the belief that California offered numerous opportunities for the unemployed.
Sarah- I liked that your story was written in the form of a detailed journal entry because it helped me to connect with the main character on a more personal level. From reading your story, I learned that not all teenage hobos were affected by the fact that they would never see their family members again. Your story included historical facts about the market crash (Black Tuesday), the Dust Bowl, the jungles, the discrimination against African-American hobos and female hobos, the low wages of workers and the spread of numerous diseases throughout America at this time.
Scott: I really like how you formatted yours as a letter, rather than a typical story or journal entry. This made your story seem more personal and realisitc. I like how you incorporated your historical information by "explaining" it all to your parents. This allowed you to put a lot of good facts into your story but without it reading like a formal paper. You were able to put a lot of information and facts into your story but it was still entertaining to read while also being informative. My gavorite part of your story was when you talked about your little brothers and hoped that they would not have to leave home as well. This seemed very realistic and personal.
Lily: I liked how you combined your entry into both a dialogue between you and your brother while also including a diary entry. By including both parts it seemed like this was an excerpt taken from a much longer story, which I enjoyed. I also think you did a good job in your ending. While being very sad, it realistically portrays the danger people faced on the rails every day. This made your story be both entertaining to read, and also historically accurate. My favorite part of your story was definitely your ending, I liked the element of suprise and how you put it at the very end.
Scott: I like how you formatted your story as if it was a letter to your parents. That technique made it much more personable. It made me as a reader really understand what the teenage hobo was going through. It also allowed you to reflect on what had happened to your main character without making it seem like an awkward flashback. It also allowed you to add facts without it seeming awkward. One thing your story does nicely is show what your main characters expectations were about being a teenage hobo but then what it was actually like.
Melanie: I like how for your story you took an unique point of view. This allowed me to relate more to the character. Because I understand wanting to rebel against my parents and also the idea that they wanted to rebel against their parents even though they had a good life at home. Your story was very realistic and relatable.
George- I liked the way your started out by showing the positives of riding the rails, and how at first your character got a thrill form the adventure he was on. My favorite aspect of your story was how you made the narrator's hat extremely important to him. You referred to it as his only possession, and after he almost lost it he immediately reverted to a state of homesickness. You did a really good job in showing how even the littlest things meant everything to the kids on the rails.
McKayla- I liked the dynamic of your story, and how you maintained the classic love story while incorporating the hardships of the depression. You were able to show the downsides of living on the rails while also putting in aspects that make the reader smile, such as the Southerners cussing. Your story came to a full circle close with the diamond ring finally being put on the woman's finger, which I thought was adorable. Despite the horrible and heartbreaking aspects of the Great Depression you were able to show the happiness that individuals could still have.
Katie, I liked the main plot of your story: watching a bull attack. Your interpretation of that kind of event showed the brutality of such attacks, and I could really connect with your character's fear and sense of emptiness, as was common for the teenage hobos of that time. I also liked how you had your characters move around constantly on the rails. They went from New York City to Massachusetts to Pennsylvania to California; I thought this inclusion was a nice touch to your story as it was popular to keep looking for jobs among most, if not all, of the teenage hobos. I hadn't even thought of including that sort of aspect of the Great Depression in my story.
Eliza, I liked how you focused on the topic of "growing up" throughout your story. Many teenagers were forced, as was yours, to grow up and move out of their homes at a very young age when the Great Depression hit the US. I could tell that your character struggled with his emotions as an upcoming adult (when he chose to leave his house without being asked by his parents) as well as his residual emotions as a child (when he loses his best friend by his own mistake). I also liked the exchange you included between the father and son; it showed that leaving family during the Great Depression was not only tough on each teenager, but tough on their parents as well.
Mckayla- I liked how you connected the crude engagement ring to the diamond ring in the end. Also, it was interesting how he became a blacksmith which was related to the skills that he used to create the ring from the spoon. Your story helped me to learn about the great depression because it showed the bonds people formed while riding the rails. The advice from Speedy Stevie showed how people turned riding the rails into an art form after doing it for so long. Also, your story did a good job of explaining why some people left their homes to make it easy on their families. Lastly, the part about the danger of the bulls added good factual information about the dangers of riding the rails.
Inez- I like how you showed that riding the rails built relationships between people. Your story did a good job of showing how people come together during the most difficult times. Also, it did a good job of showing how riding the rails can wear on you. I was able to fully understand how some people actually died from riding the rails, especially from the fumes in tunnels. Also, your story helped me to see how people were ruthlessly thrown off trains by bulls and how teenagers left their homes at young ages to lessen the burdens on their families. Also, making your character so young really emphasized how kids had to become independent quickly.
Victoria- I really like the way your story uses President Hoover’s quote as a central theme. It does a great job of illustrating some of the mindsets of teenage hobos at the time. The way you write with a southern accent helps bring out your character’s voice too. I also really like how you included the hobo camps; it’s interesting to see examples of how the hobos interacted with each other.
Micaela- I like how you included a second character to help show an example of a relationship that developed between teenage hobos. I think you’re ending is really good as well; it depicts the dangers of riding the trains, and how at any second a person could be thrown off and killed. I also like the way you say how your character never thought he would still be riding the rails six months after leaving home. It helps show how bad the situation really was for them and how hard it was to find a job.
Meghan- I really like the way you start your story; it shows how desperate hobos were, and how food was so precious to them. You are also really good at writing with a southern accent, and the way you write adds to your character. I also really like the sign slogan that you included because it helps show how there was nothing waiting for the hobos: no jobs, almost no food. You do a really good job of showing how lost the hobos are, when they keep finding that there’s nothing there for them so they just have to keep looking.
Lily: I liked how your story had the two sections of the diary entry and the diolaugue. Your story showed a lot of emotion and painted a picture of what life was actually like for the hobos.The ending was very sad but displayed how dangerous it was for the hobos. You have a lot of personal information about the character in your story which made the story alot more interesting becasue the character seems more real.
Melanie:Your story provides a lot of personal information too. The personal details helps show emotions like the charatcers regret for leaving home. You also provided some historical facts like the bullsd. You mixed the historical facts in well so they didn't seem like you went out of the way to mention them. It was also interesting how your story is from the point of view of a hobo who came from a wealthy family and just left for adventure. That was a unique perspective that made the story more interesting to read.
Katie- I really liked how you showed the harsh reality of the life of a teenage hobo. You seemed to provide an accurate description of the hobo jungles, especially when you talked about the girl sleeping on just a thin sheet in the middle of the winter. I had not really thought that much before about what it would be like to be homeless in the dead of the winter, and how cold it must have been. I also liked the part where the two girls were hiding out behind the crops, in order to hide from the railroad bulls. This is something many of the teenage hobos must have had to face to avoid getting thrown in jail.
Holly- I think you did a really good job with the dialect and word choice, to make the story feel like it was written during the Great Depression. This made the story a lot more interesting to read. I also liked how you used the image of seeing the boy that looked like the narrator's brother, to go back in time and explain why you left. The story was a lot more interesting that way than it would have been if you just went in basic chronological order.
George- “Hold onto your Hat” I thought George’s story clearly depicted the life of a teenage hobo. The distinct accent and language he used made the story very realistic. I like how he incorporated the “hat” as a possession to his main character because it added a personal touch. When the character almost loses his hat at the end, the reader can sympathize because many of us have lost or misplaced an item that is of great sentimental value. I learned more about the Great Depression through his story because it gave me a closer insight to the emotions of a teenage hobo and how many considered leaving home as an adventure, but the reality of the situation was a lot worse than they had expected. George also incorporated many historical facts, without simply defining terms. He mentioned the Dust Bowl as well as the “bulls” who would chase hobos for hopping onto trains.
Inez- “Lost in the Smoke” I thought Inez’s story was an accurate depiction of teenager’s lives during the Great Depression while riding the rails. I like how she portrayed the negative aspects of being a teenage hobo because it made the story authentic. Her descriptive detail, which is shown in the line, “The spring weather feels like heaven on my skin, waking up my senses as I let it wash over me,” portrayed the exhilarating feeling of adventure many hobos felt when leaving home. I like how she also portrayed the many struggles a hobo would face, such as the intense smoke when passing through a tunnel, or starving because no one had money to buy food. Her story helped me learn more about the Great Depression because it helped me realize the dangers of riding the rails, and how fatality was a real possibility. She incorporated historical facts, such as bulls, and also nicknames, such as “Bitin’ Billy,” which we read about in many stories about hobos riding the rails.
Allie- I really liked how your story portrayed the sense of adventure that came along with riding the rails. One assumes that the hobos riding trains were miserable, but I like that your story gave a somewhat positive light to the situation that your character was in. I also enjoyed that you added in the bit about the hobos working the people at the diner to get food, and how the hunger had changed the hobo’s life.
ReplyDeleteVictoria- First of all I thought it was great that you incorporated a quote from Hoover into your story; it really gave us the hobo’s perspective on politics during the Depression. I also found the imagery you used in describing their home life to be very interesting. I appreciated that you illustrated how different people viewed riding the rails differently by making the brothers’ have opposing feelings on jumping trains.
Meghan- I liked that you wrote about a group of boys traveling together; it was interesting to hear the perspective of someone traveling with a group rather than alone. I also liked the banner that you mentioned in the story because often many towns and cities did turn away homeless people. Your story illustrated the despair that many teen hobos felt from not getting a job very well.
Micaela- I like how you referenced the Dustbowl at the start of your story, because not only did it provide historical context, it set your story up with the idea of despair, which you showed throughout the entire thing. Even though your story was sad, it really did show the dangers of riding the rails, because not only did kids and teenagers starve, but they were at risk the second they jumped onto the train. Your description of the Dustbowl as well as your references to lack of work, poverty, etc. really fit nicely in the story.
ReplyDeleteVictoria- You did a really great job including lots of different historical info. I liked that you included a quote from President Hoover, and you did a great job with your detailed description of hobo life, especially including the different emotions and reactions from people of all ages at the camps. You also portrayed the anxiety, stress, and doubtful attitudes of those riding the rails and those that had lost jobs. It made me think about the Great Depression and hardship from multiple angles, not just those of the teenagers that left home.
Allie- I liked that you made it apparent that some kids willingly left home. Not only did some kids leave home, but they left worried they had to send money back home. It added great historical reference. I also like that you included how riding the trains was somewhat adventurous, because that gave the story a little bit of a "lighthearted" feeling. I also like that you included the information about the smoke. When I was writing my story, I didn't even think of that element of danger, so it was interesting to read about it in yours.
I would first like to say that both Philip's and Phoebe's pieces did a great job of exhibiting the emotional and economic struggle of the Great Depression and teenage hobos.
ReplyDeletePhoebe- I specifically liked how you wrote in a 'Southern accent'. That really made the story easier to imagine and I could actually hear it in my head. You mentioned the extreme hunger, the droughts, and the loneliness in the story, which are important aspects of being a teenage hobo, as well as the fact that the girl was extremely young (only 15). You also talked about the 'jungles' or the hobo camps, as well as the 'bulls', which are people who pulled the kids out of the trains and punished them. We talked about these in class, and they are also important.
Philip- I love how your first sentence was: "I honestly have no idea where I am,". I think this sentence by itself shows lots about teenage hoboing- the loneliness, the aspect of wandering. I also noticed that you went into a fairly large amount of detail about the stock market crash, and the effects the crash and general depression had on families. This also includes the Dust Bowl, which was made clear. The 'bulls' were also mentioned in depth as well.
Allie: I liked how you described riding the rails as an adventure. I think the way you wrote really protrayed a strong southern accent as well. Opening the story with describing your character's hunger really set the standard for how life was for many teens on the rails. Also, I liked how you included the part that it was extremely hard to find work, even in such a large city like New York. It really created an accurate picture of how prominent unemployment had become during the Great Depression.
ReplyDeleteMicaela: I liked how you included specific details of the dustbowl and how it had affected the family. I also liked how you really focused on the danger of riding the rails. Although many saw it as an adventure, I liked how you described that many teens would do whatever it took to survive. You clearly illustrated the hardships many hobos endured while riding the rails and even the friendships and tradgedies they encountered.
Meaghan: I liked how you wrote from the prospective of teens that were forced to leave home and didn't leave my choice. I also liked how you included the sibling relationship as well elaborated on relationships many hobos formed with teens their age while riding the rails. Lastly, I really liked how you described New York as being the same as everywhere else. I thought this clearlt portrayed how everyone was struggling during the Great Depression to get work and food, not just certain areas of the country.
Sarah - I really liked the idea of the red sundress and everything it represents. Although the narrator, Cassidy, has undergone a lot, with her leaving home, being robbed by thieves, and now having to work at a butcher shop, she still holds on to part of her past. The red sundress represents her inner femininity and who she once was: someone who didn't have to struggle and worry about whether they were going to survive another day or not. Your story helped teach me about the struggle teens would have to go through after leaving their homes, including having odd jobs in order to get money to survive and eating scraps like burnt chicken. You also mention how well everything for Cassidy was going before the Depression and how everything changed after that, which helps display how radical change occurred in people's lives so quickly after the Stock Market Crash.
ReplyDeletePhoebe - I like how your story starts in the middle, and doesn't have a definite ending; it's up to the reader's imagination once the narrator makes it to the hobo jungles. I also highly enjoy how you wrote in a Southern accent with very informal language, as well as having your narrator be running away from abusive parents. You talked about drought and hunger, both cases during the Great Depression and during the Dust Bowl. Evading the aggressive bulls on the boxcar are also mentioned, which is very historically accurate, as well as the arrival at the jungles, and your character also doesn't have very much money due to the Depression.
Katie
ReplyDeleteHolly – I liked the dialect you used in your story because it made the story very believable. I also liked the last part, about how her brother might not be any better off than the young boy in the corner. I think that is an important point, because it shows that a lot of the teenage hobos that left home didn’t keep in touch with their families. Also, a lot of the kids that left wondered how and if their families were surviving at home just as much as their families wondered if they were still alive.
Eliza –I liked that you wrote about someone who loses their brother, because it shows the violent and often tragic side of riding the rails. I also liked the last few sentences because they showed me the conflict the narrator is feeling. She wants to grieve for her brother but feels like a child when she starts to cry. Your story really showed me that a lot of the teenagers riding the rails probably struggled with these feelings while away from home.
Philip-
ReplyDeleteI liked the fact that you wrote your story from the perspective of an intelligent hobo who hoped to make great accomplishments someday because this concept offered a unique contrast to the stereotype of teenage hobos. From reading your story, I learned that some teenage hobos were unaware of the harsh economic situations in other areas of America during the Great Depression until they heard stories from fellow passengersduring rides in the boxcars. Your story included historical facts about bulls, the transition between the surplus of crops for farmers and the Dust Bowl, the stock market crash (Black Tuesday) and the belief that California offered numerous opportunities for the unemployed.
Sarah-
I liked that your story was written in the form of a detailed journal entry because it helped me to connect with the main character on a more personal level. From reading your story, I learned that not all teenage hobos were affected by the fact that they would never see their family members again. Your story included historical facts about the market crash (Black Tuesday), the Dust Bowl, the jungles, the discrimination against African-American hobos and female hobos, the low wages of workers and the spread of numerous diseases throughout America at this time.
Scott: I really like how you formatted yours as a letter, rather than a typical story or journal entry. This made your story seem more personal and realisitc. I like how you incorporated your historical information by "explaining" it all to your parents. This allowed you to put a lot of good facts into your story but without it reading like a formal paper. You were able to put a lot of information and facts into your story but it was still entertaining to read while also being informative. My gavorite part of your story was when you talked about your little brothers and hoped that they would not have to leave home as well. This seemed very realistic and personal.
ReplyDeleteLily: I liked how you combined your entry into both a dialogue between you and your brother while also including a diary entry. By including both parts it seemed like this was an excerpt taken from a much longer story, which I enjoyed. I also think you did a good job in your ending. While being very sad, it realistically portrays the danger people faced on the rails every day. This made your story be both entertaining to read, and also historically accurate. My favorite part of your story was definitely your ending, I liked the element of suprise and how you put it at the very end.
Lily Jewell
ReplyDeleteScott: I like how you formatted your story as if it was a letter to your parents. That technique made it much more personable. It made me as a reader really understand what the teenage hobo was going through. It also allowed you to reflect on what had happened to your main character without making it seem like an awkward flashback. It also allowed you to add facts without it seeming awkward. One thing your story does nicely is show what your main characters expectations were about being a teenage hobo but then what it was actually like.
Melanie: I like how for your story you took an unique point of view. This allowed me to relate more to the character. Because I understand wanting to rebel against my parents and also the idea that they wanted to rebel against their parents even though they had a good life at home. Your story was very realistic and relatable.
George- I liked the way your started out by showing the positives of riding the rails, and how at first your character got a thrill form the adventure he was on. My favorite aspect of your story was how you made the narrator's hat extremely important to him. You referred to it as his only possession, and after he almost lost it he immediately reverted to a state of homesickness. You did a really good job in showing how even the littlest things meant everything to the kids on the rails.
ReplyDeleteMcKayla- I liked the dynamic of your story, and how you maintained the classic love story while incorporating the hardships of the depression. You were able to show the downsides of living on the rails while also putting in aspects that make the reader smile, such as the Southerners cussing. Your story came to a full circle close with the diamond ring finally being put on the woman's finger, which I thought was adorable. Despite the horrible and heartbreaking aspects of the Great Depression you were able to show the happiness that individuals could still have.
Holly --
ReplyDeleteKatie, I liked the main plot of your story: watching a bull attack. Your interpretation of that kind of event showed the brutality of such attacks, and I could really connect with your character's fear and sense of emptiness, as was common for the teenage hobos of that time. I also liked how you had your characters move around constantly on the rails. They went from New York City to Massachusetts to Pennsylvania to California; I thought this inclusion was a nice touch to your story as it was popular to keep looking for jobs among most, if not all, of the teenage hobos. I hadn't even thought of including that sort of aspect of the Great Depression in my story.
Eliza, I liked how you focused on the topic of "growing up" throughout your story. Many teenagers were forced, as was yours, to grow up and move out of their homes at a very young age when the Great Depression hit the US. I could tell that your character struggled with his emotions as an upcoming adult (when he chose to leave his house without being asked by his parents) as well as his residual emotions as a child (when he loses his best friend by his own mistake). I also liked the exchange you included between the father and son; it showed that leaving family during the Great Depression was not only tough on each teenager, but tough on their parents as well.
Mckayla- I liked how you connected the crude engagement ring to the diamond ring in the end. Also, it was interesting how he became a blacksmith which was related to the skills that he used to create the ring from the spoon. Your story helped me to learn about the great depression because it showed the bonds people formed while riding the rails. The advice from Speedy Stevie showed how people turned riding the rails into an art form after doing it for so long. Also, your story did a good job of explaining why some people left their homes to make it easy on their families. Lastly, the part about the danger of the bulls added good factual information about the dangers of riding the rails.
ReplyDeleteInez- I like how you showed that riding the rails built relationships between people. Your story did a good job of showing how people come together during the most difficult times. Also, it did a good job of showing how riding the rails can wear on you. I was able to fully understand how some people actually died from riding the rails, especially from the fumes in tunnels. Also, your story helped me to see how people were ruthlessly thrown off trains by bulls and how teenagers left their homes at young ages to lessen the burdens on their families. Also, making your character so young really emphasized how kids had to become independent quickly.
Victoria- I really like the way your story uses President Hoover’s quote as a central theme. It does a great job of illustrating some of the mindsets of teenage hobos at the time. The way you write with a southern accent helps bring out your character’s voice too. I also really like how you included the hobo camps; it’s interesting to see examples of how the hobos interacted with each other.
ReplyDeleteMicaela- I like how you included a second character to help show an example of a relationship that developed between teenage hobos. I think you’re ending is really good as well; it depicts the dangers of riding the trains, and how at any second a person could be thrown off and killed. I also like the way you say how your character never thought he would still be riding the rails six months after leaving home. It helps show how bad the situation really was for them and how hard it was to find a job.
Meghan- I really like the way you start your story; it shows how desperate hobos were, and how food was so precious to them. You are also really good at writing with a southern accent, and the way you write adds to your character. I also really like the sign slogan that you included because it helps show how there was nothing waiting for the hobos: no jobs, almost no food. You do a really good job of showing how lost the hobos are, when they keep finding that there’s nothing there for them so they just have to keep looking.
Scott-
ReplyDeleteLily: I liked how your story had the two sections of the diary entry and the diolaugue. Your story showed a lot of emotion and painted a picture of what life was actually like for the hobos.The ending was very sad but displayed how dangerous it was for the hobos. You have a lot of personal information about the character in your story which made the story alot more interesting becasue the character seems more real.
Melanie:Your story provides a lot of personal information too. The personal details helps show emotions like the charatcers regret for leaving home. You also provided some historical facts like the bullsd. You mixed the historical facts in well so they didn't seem like you went out of the way to mention them. It was also interesting how your story is from the point of view of a hobo who came from a wealthy family and just left for adventure. That was a unique perspective that made the story more interesting to read.
Katie-
ReplyDeleteI really liked how you showed the harsh reality of the life of a teenage hobo. You seemed to provide an accurate description of the hobo jungles, especially when you talked about the girl sleeping on just a thin sheet in the middle of the winter. I had not really thought that much before about what it would be like to be homeless in the dead of the winter, and how cold it must have been. I also liked the part where the two girls were hiding out behind the crops, in order to hide from the railroad bulls. This is something many of the teenage hobos must have had to face to avoid getting thrown in jail.
Holly-
I think you did a really good job with the dialect and word choice, to make the story feel like it was written during the Great Depression. This made the story a lot more interesting to read. I also liked how you used the image of seeing the boy that looked like the narrator's brother, to go back in time and explain why you left. The story was a lot more interesting that way than it would have been if you just went in basic chronological order.
George- “Hold onto your Hat”
ReplyDeleteI thought George’s story clearly depicted the life of a teenage hobo. The distinct accent and language he used made the story very realistic. I like how he incorporated the “hat” as a possession to his main character because it added a personal touch. When the character almost loses his hat at the end, the reader can sympathize because many of us have lost or misplaced an item that is of great sentimental value. I learned more about the Great Depression through his story because it gave me a closer insight to the emotions of a teenage hobo and how many considered leaving home as an adventure, but the reality of the situation was a lot worse than they had expected. George also incorporated many historical facts, without simply defining terms. He mentioned the Dust Bowl as well as the “bulls” who would chase hobos for hopping onto trains.
Inez- “Lost in the Smoke”
I thought Inez’s story was an accurate depiction of teenager’s lives during the Great Depression while riding the rails. I like how she portrayed the negative aspects of being a teenage hobo because it made the story authentic. Her descriptive detail, which is shown in the line, “The spring weather feels like heaven on my skin, waking up my senses as I let it wash over me,” portrayed the exhilarating feeling of adventure many hobos felt when leaving home. I like how she also portrayed the many struggles a hobo would face, such as the intense smoke when passing through a tunnel, or starving because no one had money to buy food. Her story helped me learn more about the Great Depression because it helped me realize the dangers of riding the rails, and how fatality was a real possibility. She incorporated historical facts, such as bulls, and also nicknames, such as “Bitin’ Billy,” which we read about in many stories about hobos riding the rails.