One part of “Alexandra’s One Day” mentions President Harding’s death in the headlines of a newspaper. With the news, I would expect for Alexandra to react positively or at least indifferently about his death. Harding had signed off on bills that put strict limitations on immigration into the U.S. Being part of an immigrant family herself, I assume Alexandra would condemn the president’s actions. He also is credited with running a corrupt cabinet. Although the largest act of corruption in the Teapot Dome scandal was yet to be exposed, many still suspected the many illegal practices by Harding’s administration. In reality, Alexandra’s reaction might have been more uplifting rather than shocked.
Overall I felt like this is a very moving and interesting story but there were some points when I was confused.
I didn’t understand how Alexandra had a sick day. I don’t think in the 20th century there was a choice not to go to work because there were just so many girls who wanted a job and not enough jobs to go around. Especially with the huge immigrant influx in the 1900’s, girls who didn’t show up for work were easily replaced.
But there was one race of immigrants that were not allowed in America. What I didn’t understand also is how there were Chinese immigrants. The story occurs around the time Ford introduces his Model-T. That’s the early 1910’s. The Chinese exclusion act was repealed in 1943. The real surge in Chinese immigration wasn’t until the 70’s and 80’s. I don’t see how Alexandria could have a Chinese friend living in the tenements near her.
I enormously enjoyed reading Amanda’s historical fiction piece, Alexandra’s One Day. Her captivating tale depicts the life of a young female factory worker living at home in New York City during the 1920s. The protagonist, Alexandra, is granted just one day off from work which allows her to explore the city in a way she hadn’t before. By recounting Alexandra’s itinerary for the day, Amanda highlights some very defining characteristics of the time. Most notably, Alexandra sneaks into the Cotton Club, a place where top-tier performers like Duke Ellington often play to an audience of white elites. As she looks around to see the fancy clothes, the smell of alcohol, and the wealthy women gossiping, Alexandra is in awe and thinks of how she hopes to reach the top someday. As many poor factory workers did in the 1920s, Alexandra believes in the American Dream and works tirelessly to achieve it. Moreover, the juxtaposition of Alexandra and the wealthy audience of the Cotton Club accurately depicts the extreme wealth gap in America at the time that is often overshadowed by the innovation and prosperity that marks the 1920s. Her story was not only historically accurate, but fit into our course’s theme of exploring the different characters and lifestyles of New York City inhabitants. Her story mentions a variety of characters which all come from unique backgrounds, such as her best friend Mei Lin, a Chinese immigrant, and her sister, Isabella, who must work in order to help support her family.
One part of “Alexandra’s One Day” mentions President Harding’s death in the headlines of a newspaper. With the news, I would expect for Alexandra to react positively or at least indifferently about his death. Harding had signed off on bills that put strict limitations on immigration into the U.S. Being part of an immigrant family herself, I assume Alexandra would condemn the president’s actions. He also is credited with running a corrupt cabinet. Although the largest act of corruption in the Teapot Dome scandal was yet to be exposed, many still suspected the many illegal practices by Harding’s administration. In reality, Alexandra’s reaction might have been more uplifting rather than shocked.
Overall I felt like this is a very moving and interesting story but there were some points when I was confused.
I didn’t understand how Alexandra had a sick day. I don’t think in the 20th century there was a choice not to go to work because there were just so many girls who wanted a job and not enough jobs to go around. Especially with the huge immigrant influx in the 1900’s, girls who didn’t show up for work were easily replaced.
But there was one race of immigrants that were not allowed in America. What I didn’t understand also is how there were Chinese immigrants. The story occurs around the time Ford introduces his Model-T. That’s the early 1910’s. The Chinese exclusion act was repealed in 1943. The real surge in Chinese immigration wasn’t until the 70’s and 80’s. I don’t see how Alexandria could have a Chinese friend living in the tenements near her.
I enormously enjoyed reading Amanda’s historical fiction piece, Alexandra’s One Day. Her captivating tale depicts the life of a young female factory worker living at home in New York City during the 1920s. The protagonist, Alexandra, is granted just one day off from work which allows her to explore the city in a way she hadn’t before. By recounting Alexandra’s itinerary for the day, Amanda highlights some very defining characteristics of the time. Most notably, Alexandra sneaks into the Cotton Club, a place where top-tier performers like Duke Ellington often play to an audience of white elites. As she looks around to see the fancy clothes, the smell of alcohol, and the wealthy women gossiping, Alexandra is in awe and thinks of how she hopes to reach the top someday. As many poor factory workers did in the 1920s, Alexandra believes in the American Dream and works tirelessly to achieve it. Moreover, the juxtaposition of Alexandra and the wealthy audience of the Cotton Club accurately depicts the extreme wealth gap in America at the time that is often overshadowed by the innovation and prosperity that marks the 1920s. Her story was not only historically accurate, but fit into our course’s theme of exploring the different characters and lifestyles of New York City inhabitants. Her story mentions a variety of characters which all come from unique backgrounds, such as her best friend Mei Lin, a Chinese immigrant, and her sister, Isabella, who must work in order to help support her family.