John's Digital Journal
41608
02-12-16
During the early Twentieth Century, during the 1930s, the Mid-Western region of the United States faced one of the darkest periods in U.S history. Due to the increase of settlers moving and purchasing land in the region (in the prairies), many of them sought to use the land's agricultural potential for financial gain. With little knowledge of the region's natural patterns, the farmers used agricultural techniques that were commonly used in the Eastern part of the United States. Methods such as going deeper into the top-soil to create moisture were critical to the ultimate development of the infamous 'Dust Bowl'. With no knowledge of proper agricultural techniques (such as crop-rotation), the exhaustion of the land's nutrients/minerals, a severe drought, and the loss of vital plants/trees, the land would soon become man's worst enemy. The farmers, whom were only accustomed to the natural patterns of the Eastern Coast, failed to comprehend the gravity of drought in the region and the vitality of trees/grass in the area to better hold the soil down. With the rise of storms consisting of very high winds, the loose top soil was taken up by the wind and, with the accumulation of both the wind and soil, vast storms similar to a 'sand-storm' would develop. These storms would engulf entire settlements/ towns, bury/destroy property, affect the health of those immediately afflicted by the storm's wrath, and decimate all agricultural productions. Due to the drought , the lack of vital nutrients/minerals, and the loose state of the top-soil, the region's most vital economic sector severely suffered. With little sustainability and the fear of dying at the hands of the vengeful Earth, over 2.5 million civilians fled westward to the West Coast to find a better life for their families. At this time, the United States was facing one of its most serious economic problem with the collapse of the nation's stock market on 'Black Tuesday' and the fall of the nation's banking system. This led to the scarcity of jobs throughout the nation. When these 'refugees' traveled westward to find financial sustainability, they were soon awaken to the harsh reality of the nation's economic state. Wherever people tried to find refuge, there were met with obstacles for truly there was no safe haven from the national economy's negative influence. The states affected by the 'Dust Bowl' were those primary found in the central U.S mainland (From Texas to Montana). The Dust-Bowl's range of influence even extended all the way to Canada! Many people tried to prevent the 'dust' from entering their homes, but all were in vain. If a person experience extensive exposure to the 'dusty' environment, they could have developed "Dust-Pneumonia", a life-threatening state of one's health where one's lungs became filled/severely affected by the overwhelming dust in the area. Children were very vulnerable and were often sent to live with relatives outside of the affected region to prevent such health concerns. These storms would develop very quickly so many people who were caught in the storm's wrath often succumbed to suffocation, a death in which the person's ability to breath has been suppressed/overwhelmed. The Dust Bowl, a true testament to man's ultimate folly in its struggle with nature, completely changed the course of not just the U.S, but the world we know today. In response to the problem, the U.S government instituted programs that educated farmers in new innovative agricultural techniques, offered them financial aid, and encouraged them to 're-build' the nation's agricultural sector. Though our current knowledge has made the possibility of another similar catastrophe obsolete, the historical event today known as the "Dust Bowl" will continue to play a key role in our nation's progress as we not only become more careful with our actions in a natural setting, but will also better educate future generations about the fragile state of our world's natural order. An order that, when threatened, can truly decimate our selfish strive for success and sustainability.
02-15-16
In the book "Of Mice and Men", Curley, a very pugnacious man, directed his anger/embarrassment at Lennie after being ridiculed by his fellow co-workers. Instead of retaliating against the combined hostility of Slim, Carlson, and Candy, Curley instead expresses his anger at someone who he deems as weak. Due to his regressed mental state, Lennie was unable to cope with the situation immediately. After receiving serious hits to the face and stomach, Lennie simply reacts by pleading for George's intervention in the conflict. Though Slim tried to intervene, George stopped Slim and encouraged Lennie, then gravely bruised, to physically retaliate against Curley's aggression. With George's encouragement, Lennie ultimately intercepted Curley's hand and crushed it through mere force. After George desperately tried to make Lennie let go of Curley's hand, Lennie, after a while, lets go. It is then divulged that Lennie's defensive act seriously damaged Curely's hand. Slim, after checking the assailant's hand, ordered Carlson to quickly take Curley to a doctor nearby. Before safely evacuating him, Slim delivered an ultimatum to Curley for which, in the event that he would tell his father (the boss) about the events that transgressed, Slim and the other workers would respond by spreading the humiliating news of Curley's defeat at the hands of Lennie. Curley accepts the preposition and is quickly taken, by Carlson, to receive medical attention. By analyzing the various factors that ultimately contributed to the brawl, one could easily recognize Curley's nature and methods of coping with certain situations (In this case: ridicule). Instead of facing his problems directly, Curley tends to direct his anger at those he deems weak or of superior stature. Early in the novel, due to his short height, it is revealed that Curley tends to be hostile towards those who are taller than him for he refuses to recognize them as superior in any way. In the case of Lennie, though being mentally challenged, Curley makes a grave mistake by underestimating the physical strength posed by Lennie. This not only leads to Curley's failure to defeat Lennie in the "fight", but also his injury which will surely limit his potential as a worker in the long run.