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The Great Depression and the Arts
A Unit of Study for Grades 8-12

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Student Handouts: Documenting the Migrant Experience

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John Steinbeck, "Article One" "The Harvest Gypsies"

"Refugee camp near Holtville." Lange, Dorothea, photographer. (Library of Congress).

Understanding the Meaning


1. How does Steinbeck describe the migrant workers? What terms does he use? What characteristics do they have?
   
2. How many migrants are there?
   
3. What is the unique nature of California agriculture which requires migrants?
   
4. What is the "curious attitude" toward migrants?
   
5. Why are migrants "hated?"
   
6. How do 1930s migrants differ from past migrant groups? Consider: race/ethnicity, marital/family status, gender.
   
7. How has industrialism impacted migrants in the Middle West and California?
   
8. What is the relationship of migrants to democracy?
   
9. How does the "growers association" apply the law of supply and demand?

Making Inferences


1. New Deal programs such as the Agricultural Adjustment Act (AAA) provided money to aid landowners. How might that affect tenants and sharecroppers?
   
2. How would reducing the amount of crops grown affect the mechanization of agriculture?

John Steinbeck, "Article Two" "The Harvest Gypsies"

Understanding the Meaning


1. What are some of the characteristics of squatters' camps?
   
2. Compare and contrast the "three typical families" described by Steinbeck: focus on physical descriptions and the migrant's "spirit".

Making Inferences


1. Read the last paragraph. Why does Steinbeck suggest the migrant's situation is not based upon a "weakness in their character"?

John Steinbeck, "Article Four" "The Harvest Gypsies"

Understanding the Meaning

This article focuses on the camps provided by the Federal government's Resettlement Administration. Steinbeck notes that "from the first, the intent of the management has been to restore the dignity and decency that had been kicked out of the migrants by their intolerable mode of life."


1. Why is this "intent" important?
   
2. What means are used to achieve this restoration?
   
3. What are the results of such efforts?
   
4. Why do "certain interests" oppose these camps?
   
5. What reply does Steinbeck make to these arguments?

John Steinbeck, "Article Five" "The Harvest Gypsies"

Understanding the Meaning


1. Why is relief not provided to migrants?
   
2. What is the response of California communities to migrant problems?
   
3. What reasons does Steinbeck give for the responses of California communities to migrant problems?
   
4. "The counties seem terrified that they may be required to give some aid to the labor they require for their harvest." What does Steinbeck mean by this?

"Flee Dust Bowl for California," Business Week

Understanding the Meaning


1. How does the Business Week article characterize Dust Bowl migrants?
   
2. What services are provided for migrants in California communities?
   
3. What are the problems associated with the influx of large number of migrant farm workers?
   
4. What impact does this migration have on California communities?
   
5. What is the impact of large numbers of migrant laborers on union organization in the state?

Making Inferences


1. What is the general impression given of most Dust Bowl migrants?
   
2. Contrast Steinbeck's views expressed in "The Harvest Gypsies" to those presented in the Business Week report. What accounts for the different perspectives?

"Along the Road: Extracts from a Reporter's Notebook," Fortune

Understanding the Meaning

Understanding the Meaning


1. Fortune was and still is one of capitalism's most prestigious voices. Does its account of the migrants in general agree or disagree with Steinbeck's newspaper articles?
   
2. How does Fortune characterize migrants? Select statements you consider good examples of Fortune's characterization of the migrants. Focus on aspects of living conditions and their effect on people.
   
3. What does "Extracts from a Reporter's Notebook" tell you about the importance of sanitation and diet?

Making Inferences


1. What is the reporter's general impression of conditions among the migrants?
   
2. Compare and contrast the overall views of Steinbeck and Fortune about migrants. What is the point of view of Steinbeck? The Fortune author? Cite examples to support generalizations.

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The Great Depression and the Arts

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