Nolan Burns
Exiting Tenth Grade
Grade 11
August 1 2015
Social Security
To Kill a Mockingbird takes places during one of the country's darkest times, The Great Depression. Something to be kept in mind was the fact that the area in which To Kill a Mockingbird takes place was a rural area. The Depression actually hit rural areas like the fictional town of Maycomb 10 years earlier. Following the first World War areas like Maycomb went through both a recession and depression from 1918 continuing into the Dust Bowl in the 1930’s.
The Great Depression involved loads of employees being laid off. Often the first to be let go was the Elderly. As Time went on they only got older which meant that them being rehired was a pipe dream.During this time period
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the elderly tended to not have money put away for their retirement due to the lack of financial literacy . Our Elderly could not support themselves and this was a great issue. President Roosevelt took notice of this and made sure to include the elderly’s welfare in the 2nd New Deal. The 1st New Deal primarily took care of immediate impacts of the depression while the 2nd New deal took care of possible future issues so that they would not become an issue. The Social Security Act of 1935 created a system in which the unemployed had insurance, and the elderly had benefits through the funds raised by taxes. It was established for the elderly originally but it also pertained to blind, physically handicapped and workers. The blind were given cash allowances provided through the funds of the Federal and State. The Unemployed were enrolled into a state compensation system . The workers would weekly get paid benefits if insured, The Social Security Act was enacted on August 14, 1935, which is around the time Tom Robinson is shot trying to escape prison. Social Security was similar but different at the same time compared to Welfare.Workers were essentially paying for their own futures instead of the government. It was “self supporting” instead of a handout. After the Second World War some changes were made to benefit the soldiers who fought in the war. It was only for veterans that had become disabled after though. The Social Security Act was signed by President Franklin Roosevelt on August 14 1935 . In January 1940 the first monthly payments began. To many Social Security is “the most successful government social insurance program in the nation's history “. According to SSA.Gov “ The amount of money coming into the Social Security system each year (over $805 billion in 2008) is larger than the gross domestic product of all but the 16 richest nations in the world. For most of the past 20 years, the Social Security program has been the largest single function in the federal government's budget. The Social Security system today accounts for almost 5 percent of America's total gross domestic product.” The 1930’s was a tragic and traumatic part of history that America tries to avoid experiencing ever again.
Which is why Social Security is still in existence. The program is not exactly working as it is supposed to now. People working now have to ask themselves will there be any social security benefits when they retire. The answer fortunately for them is yes but it will be significantly less of a benefit their mother and grandfathers got. It's even possible that there will be no social security for me when I retire. The government is thinking about raising the age you can collect at since people are living longer.The system is now under financed. For right now it is working as intended but in 2033 it might …show more content…
not. Nolan Burns Exiting Tenth Grade Grade 11 August 1 2015 To Kill A Mocking Jay Describe the setting of the novel? The novel takes place in Maycomb , Alabama. The story takes place during the 1930’s in one of America’s most discriminated states. Maycomb is deep into the country and a lot of the people are already doing poorly and were doing so prior to the depression. The place is almost like a jail considering most of the families never leave or left Maycomb. Explain Scout’s difficulty in growing up. It is difficult for Scout to grow up since she is more matured than her peers. She is intelligent and mentally ahead in aspects. One thing that makes her different is that she thinks that everyone is the same. Prejudice does not exist to her. In a town that is extremely prejudice, this can hold you back. How does Atticus become involved in controversy? Atticus becomes involved in controversy when he doesn't refuse to depend Tom. Judge Taylor assigned him the job and he could of not picked it up but he did. His children were a big factor in his decision. What minor incidents pertain to the theme of fighting a losing battle? One of the minor incidents was when the kids decided to sneak around in Mr. Radley’s yard and when the stray dog was shot. What is Boo Radley’s role in the novel? Boo Radley is almost like a mysterious figure in the novel. Its almost as if he exist but does not at the same time. He gives the novel a more mysterious twist since you are left wondering throughout the novel if he will ever fully come out the house. I know that while reading this myself i almost hoped for it to happen. Contrast Mayella’s account of the crime with that of Tom. Mayella's story and Tom’s story are like night and day. Mayella tells the story as if Tom preyed on her and raped her when in actuality no sex was even involved. Tom story on the other hand sheds light on the truth. His story actually adds up considering he has a shriveled up arm and could not rape her anyway. What details from the trail give Scout a clearer view of Mayella’s dismal life? Well Mayella doesn’t know the meaning of friend.
This is sadly because she didn't grow up with a ton , in fact not even one. Mayella has a very dismal life along with a very dismal house as well. Her father unfairly treats her wrong for no reason.As all this coes out Scout realizes how dismal Mayella’s life is.
Describe the aftermath of the trail.
The trail and efforts of Atticus earned the respect of the African American population even though Atticus lost. The children being at the trial affected the thinking and logic of children so young. They learned at a young age that good things don't always come to those who deserve it and how cruel this world really is. Atticus of course lost friends.Miss Maddie claims the town has progressed saying it's progressed “a step—it’s just a baby-step, but it’s a step.” Last but not least Tom essentially gets himself murdered by trying to escape prison.
What are the unifying themes which hold this novel together?
The Novel has a consistent theme of whether or not the right thing will be done.It holds the story together since some characters “good” morals clash with the “ traditional “ morals of others. Almost as if a battle of light and dark or good vs evil takes place throughout the entire
story. How does the novel transcend southern racial prejudice to conflicts found globally? The novel To Kill a Mockingbird revolves around the small southern town of Maycomb, Alabama.While the town is small it holds substantial beliefs which causes much conflict. Maycomb is an area where the social structure consist of unfair treatment , discrimination and prejudice. While it is almost understood why a neighborhood of caucasian americans would treat an African American differently at the time, it is still not understood why there is still unfair treatment around the world in 2015. The novel transcends southern racial prejudice to conflicts found everywhere. People just do not do the “Right Thing”. When i say the right thing ,I mean the “Right Thing” for everyone and not just them.
Since she was not taught respect from her father, she would not know much about it. “Won’t answer a word you say long as you keep on mockin’ me,’ Mayella said. Mayella is not one of those other people in the small town of Maycomb that lives in a nice neighborhood. Mayella lives behind a garbage dump with her father and siblings. During the trial of Tom Robinson, Scout describes Mayella’s home.
By providing a precise example of the times it is set in, To Kill a Mockingbird effects the readers opinions on today's society making them think of ways to better it. For example, in the novel, Lee describes what life in Maycomb, a southern town in Alabama, was like during the 1930's: “ a day was twenty-four hours long but seemed longer. There was no hurry, for there was no where to go, nothing to buy, and no money to buy it with...” ( Lee 6). People have a hard time imagining what life in a big depression was like, and this provides them with a description that not only helps the reader think about living during those times but broadens their knowledge about the history in general. This new insight helps them to see how far today's society has come and how many obstacles mankind has faced and overcome on their journey to today. In addition, Catherine Bernard explains through her book, Understanding To Kill A Mockingbird, that: “ While Lee's novel is set in the 1930's, the themes of discrimination and toleranc...
Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird is based during the era of racism and prejudice. This era is commonly referred to as The Great Depression and is during the mid-late 30’s. The novel is set in a small town and county called Maycomb, Alabama. The novel follows the story of the Finch’s and their struggle before, during, and after a rape trial that is set against an African American by a white woman and her father.
To Kill a Mockingbird takes place in a rural southern town in the 1930s, when racism was commonly accepted. Blacks were
Scout is a young girl growing up in the south, she is intelligent, thoughtful, and good natured. Her identity is somewhat uncommon during the time she lives in. She is characterized as a tomboy, who doesn’t always act “lady like” or proper by southern standards. Scout most likely became the type of person she is by the care of her father, Atticus. He shapes her mind, while trying to protect her from a dangerous world and preserving her childhood.
[he] live[s] like [he] do[es] because that's the way [he] want[s] to live. " (Lee 203). Another person affected by this is Atticus. He is portrayed as a "nigger lover," something not acceptable in Maycomb. Something that prompts Scout to fight anyone calls her father that to her face. "Boo" Radley's case is much worse. This calm, gentle person is the subject of many rumors that have destroyed his reputation. The nuts over the fence is even less likely. All these characters in the book are eventually cleared of false rumors. Scout and Dill find out that Dolphus Raymond is conscious of his choice to live with blacks and have mixed children, even though they are exiled by both black and white people. His drunkenness was just a play to make it easier for others to comprehend. After basically proving Tom's innocence, even though the verdict was guilty, Atticus was shown to have respect for blacks but he was not a "nigger lover". He was more of a "Negro respecter. " Boo Radley is found to be completely different than thought. To Kill A Mockingbird has many important messages that can be taken from it. This is what causes the novel to endure. That is the reason this novel is a "classic" not just because it is a good story and has good characters. One can take something from it that many other novels do not have, real life & nbsp;
The novel of To Kill a Mockingbird is set in the timeline and era of the 1930s which was synonymous for the renowned Great Depression. A tragedy in which social and economic change was urgently required yet old traditional beliefs and racial hierarchies including the Jim Crow laws were kept firm in position. These beliefs along with other aspects including behavior are clearly represented in the novel which leads the reader to infer that the time and setting of To Kill a Mockingbird is the 1930s. There are various methods and pieces of evidence that we draw upon that leads to the conclusion that the setting of the novel takes place in the
The story To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is set in 1932 in the middle of the Great Depression in a deep southern town called Maycomb, Alabama. In this time African Americans were segregated and looked down upon in America and especially in southern states like Alabama. In FDR’s 1932 inaugural address he stated that “We have nothing to fear but ourselves”. He said this because in a time of economical depression there was no hope. With no hope in a society things can start to fall apart and people go crazy. Harper Lee cleverly illustrates this.
To Kill a Mockingbird takes place in Maycomb, Alabama when segregation was popular in the southern states. This is a time period where women were supposed to be proper and the men were supposed to be complete gentlemen; while the black folk were supposed to stay separated from the rest of society. When the Blacks were accused of anything by Whites they would immediately would be pressed with charges. With To Kill a Mockingbird, the theme of the importance of moral education, the motif of small town life (everybody knowing each others business), and how a different time period or geographical location would affect the events within the novel; these few things have an important significance throughout Harper Lee's book.
In the book to kill a Mocking Bird the story takes place in Maycomb, Alabama. Maycomb County’s setting was different depending on the weather. During the rainy weather grass was growing on the sidewalks, and the streets turned to red slope. During the hot days there were flies under the shade. The setting is important because the time of the book was when the Southern states where still racist, and they were living a poor life style. Another way the setting is important to the time of the book because winter comes to early, and it snows, so the neighbors want there flowers protected and the kids want to make a snowman so it works out for everyone.
Social Security is a system that was set up in 1935 after the Great depression to help people get through tough times. "Social Security is now used by nearly 44 million Americans"(policy.com). Only people who payed into social security are eligible to collect when they retire. Many people think that they receive the money they pay in but that is not total true. The money that you pay in is used for the people that are receiving it now. "In 1950 there were 16 workers for every beneficiary; today there are only three workers per beneficiary"(policy.com). There is more money going into social security then coming out now. The extra money goes into a trust to be used when it is needed. By the year 2032 those numbers are going to drop. By this time most baby boomers will be retired and collecting social security. This will put a big strain on the funds. There will be more money going out then coming in. And it will not take long to use all the money that is in the trust. By the year 2034 they will only be able to pay 75 percent of the beneficiaries. "The projected average monthly Social Security benefit in 2032 of about 1,100 (in 1998 dollars) would fall to about $800, and would drop further in later years. Average benefits for low-wage earners would drop from $670 to $480"(www.ssab). Theses cut would effect the people just starting to receive benefits and those who are already receiving benefits. And with each year these benefits will decrease. As these benefits continue to decrease "the percentage of aged people living in poverty would rise"(www.ssab).Most people believe this is happening because of the baby boomers generation. There will be more people taking from social security then giving in. By the time my generation is eliable to receive social security there may not be any money to give.
To Kill A Mockingbird is set in a small town in Maycomb County. Alabama, in the 1930s, which was a dark period in time for America. it had been hit by the Depression. Up until 1929, America had been. doing very well, becoming a much richer country.
Social security, since instituted in 1935, has kept many elderly people from running below the poverty line (Hosansky). In 2015, the Social Security Administration predicted that the funds would be depleted by 2034 (Max). This poses a serious threat to the living situation of future generations when they retire. Our elderly, by today’s standards, enjoy a comfortable lifestyle. They are able to retire and still make over one thousand dollars a month. Some people also have private pensions which allow them to live even more comfortably. But with social security funds running out, we must ask the inevitable question. Is it worth having social security anymore? Social security should be kept. One must never fully rely on social security. In addition
How influential is the setting of To Kill a Mockingbird to the novel's plot characters and themes? 'To Kill a Mockingbird' is set in Maycomb, Alabama in the Southern states of America in the 1930s. The community of Maycomb is close knit, everybody knows everything about everybody else and most people have the same beliefs and values. A common belief in Maycomb is that the black community are not equal to the white. Racism was common in the Southern states at this time.
Throughout To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee expresses the use of symbolism to build different themes. She contrasts the good and bad sides of the small town of Maycomb, Alabama in the 1930’s. Lee uses specific detail to express how justice, morality, and ethics are amongst the people in the town of Maycomb.