In "Evaluation," the final chapter of Nickel and Dimed, Ehrenreich observes:
Some odd optical property of our highly polarized and unequal society makes the poor almost invisible to their economic superiors. The poor can see the affluent easily enough -- on television, for example, or on the covers of magazines. But the affluent rarely see the poor or, if they do catch sight of them in some public space, rarely know what they're seeing, since --thanks to consignment stores and, yes, Wal-Mart -- the poor are usually able to disguise themselves as members of the more comfortable classes.
Write a paragraph based on personal observation and experience that supports or challenges Ehrenreich's analysis. Girls: due Tuesday, Nov. 15 at 7:30 am. Boys due Wednesday, Nov.16 at 7:30 am.
POST-ASSIGNMENT COMMENT FROM MRS. J:
I've been very interested to read all your comments here. I especially want to recommend Carmit Soleman and Dylan Cooper's response -- Carmit's because she engages in some very interesting speculation about the causes of the invisibility of the poor and Dylan's because he presents his position so cogently (yes, I know there's a glitch in his third line ... another testament to the importance of proofreading ... but get over it...)
