"Another Day In Paradise" Constructed Response Activities

 

 

“When nothing seems to help, I go look at a stonecutter hammering away at his rock

perhaps a hundred times without as much as a crack showing in it. Yet at the hundred and first

 blow it will split in two, and I know it was not that blow that did it, but all that had gone before.”

 

~ Jacob Riis

 

"Nothing could be worse than the fear that one had given up too soon,

and left one unexpended effort that might have saved the world.."

 

~ Jane Addams

 

 

 

 

1.    Explain the meaning of both quotes? Do the quotes express similar or different ideas? Explain.

 

 

 

 

 

2.    Jane Addams founded one of the most famous settlement houses in Chicago, called Hull House. What was a settlement house and why were they started?

 

 

 

 

 

3.    Explain how technology had both a positive and negative effect on working conditions and the quality of life in the cities at the turn of the century. Be sure to discuss specific examples in your answer.

 

 

 

 

 

4.    Identify and describe three efforts made to improve living conditions in the cities.

 

 

 

 

 

 

5.    What is the meaning of Phil Collin’s song “Another Day in Paradise”? Be sure to discuss the significance of the song’s title. How does the song’s message and point of view compare to the two quotes above? Explain.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A MODEST PROPOSAL (excerpt)

FOR PREVENTING THE CHILDREN OF POOR PEOPLE IN IRELAND FROM BEING A BURDEN TO THEIR PARENTS OR COUNTRY, AND FOR MAKING THEM BENEFICIAL TO THE PUBLIC

By Jonathan Swift, 1729

... These mothers, instead of being able to work for their honest livelihood, are forced to employ all their time in strolling to beg sustenance for their helpless infants: who as they grow up either turn thieves for want of work, or leave their dear native country…I shall now therefore humbly propose my own thoughts, which I hope will not be liable to the least objection. I have been assured by a very knowing American of my acquaintance in London, that a young healthy child well nursed is at a year old a most delicious, nourishing, and wholesome food, whether stewed, roasted, baked, or boiled; and I make no doubt that it will equally serve in a fricassee or a ragout…

I think the advantages by the proposal which I have made are obvious and many, as well as of the highest importance…the want of venison might be well supplied by the bodies of young lads and maidens, not exceeding fourteen years of age nor under twelve;...The poorer tenants will have something valuable of their own, which by law may be made liable to distress and help to pay their landlord's rent, their corn and cattle being already seized, and money a thing unknown…The constant breeders, beside the gain of eight shillings sterling per annum by the sale of their children, will be rid of the charge of maintaining them after the first year…Men would become as fond of their wives during the time of their pregnancy as they are now of their mares in foal, their cows in calf, their sows when they are ready to farrow; nor offer to beat or kick them (as is too frequent a practice) for fear of a miscarriage.

Many other advantages might be enumerated. For instance, the addition of some thousand carcasses in our exportation of barreled beef, the propagation of swine's flesh, and improvement in the art of making good bacon, so much wanted among us by the great destruction of pigs, too frequent at our tables; which are no way comparable in taste or magnificence to a well-grown, fat, yearling child, which roasted whole will make a considerable figure at a lord mayor's feast or any other public entertainment.

 

 

1.    Who is the author of the above literary excerpt and when was it written?

 

 

 

2.    What is the societal problem that the author identifies and discusses in the above essay?

 

 

 

3.    How does the author propose to solve this problem?

 

 

 

4.    According to the author, what are three advantages of the solution he proposes?

 

 

 

5.    Satire involves the use of irony and sarcasm to expose and reveal a societal ill or problem. Is the excerpt above an example of satire? Why or why not?

 

 

 

6.    Read the lyrics to the song Another Day In Paradise and explain how Phil Collin’s incorporated sarcasm and satire into the song lyrics.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Another Day In Paradise"

By Phil Collins © 1989



She calls out to the man on the street
"Sir can you help me?"
It's cold and I've nowhere to sleep,
is there somewhere you can tell me?

He walks on, doesn't look back
He pretends he can't hear her
Starts to whistle as he crosses the street
Seems embarrassed to be there

Oh, think twice, 'cause it's just another day for you
and me in paradise
Oh, think twice, 'cause it's just another day for you,
You and me in paradise

She calls out to the man on the street
He can see she's been crying
She's got blisters on the soles of her feet
She can't walk but she's trying

Oh, think twice, 'cause it's just another day for you
and me in paradise
Oh, think twice, 'cause It's just another day for you,
You and me in paradise

Oh lord, is there nothing more anybody can do
Oh lord, there must be something you can say

You can tell from the lines on her face
You can see that she's been there
Probably been moved on from every place
'Cause she didn't fit in there

Oh, think twice, 'cause it's just another day for you
and me in paradise
Oh, think twice, 'cause It's just another day for you,
You and me in paradise

Just think about it

It's just another day for you and me in Paradise
It's just another day for you and me in Paradise
It's just another day for you and me in Paradise

 

 

 

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