Walter Dean Myers Response to Literature

If you think times are hard for you, think about what your ancestors had to go through to get you and your family to where it is today. It is apparent that this wisdom is incorporated into Walter Dean Myers’ texts. It enhances his works in various ways. This wisdom is located within the novel The Glory Field. Also, it is included in the folktale “The Story of the Three Kingdoms.”The biography Malcolm X by Any Means Necessary incorporates this wisdom too.

The Glory Field talks about the Lewis family and its many generations and the troubles it went through, starting with slavery. It begins with Muhammad coming to America on a slave ship and continues on with his descendants’ hardships. This text demonstrates the wisdom of times being less burdensome for you than your ancestors when it states on page one hundred thirty-four “It was Grandpa Moses who brought out the shackles. He brought them out and stood in front of Elijah. “The first black man that we remember in our family come here wearing these...” This quote demonstrates the wisdom because Grandpa Moses is reflecting about Muhammad and showing that Elijah should show respect for him. Moreover, this quote not only shows the wisdom but it also effectively shows the connection between the different generations of the Lewis family, which engages the reader.


In “The Story of the Three Kingdoms” there are three kingdoms of animals; the kingdom of the forest, the kingdom of the sea, and the kingdom of the sky that all think they are superior. Then humans appear and are taken advantage of by animals. Later they persevere over the animals. The wisdom of times being harder for your ancestors than you is present when Walter Dean Myers states “The People lived in the hills, not daring to go into the forest for fear the Elephant would crush them with his great strength” on page twelve. This shows that the People are going through troubles because they cannot venture anywhere. Certain people can connect to this writing piece because it applies to their ancestors.

Malcolm X by Any Means Necessary discusses Malcolm X’s life. It talks about what he went through as a child and what he did for the Civil Rights movement. He kept on fighting and fighting to get his opinions and thoughts across to all. On page twelve the text says that “life was tough for the Littles in Omaha. Blacks were the last ones hired for the few jobs available, and the first ones fired when work was slow.” This shows the troubles Malcolm X’s ancestors had to go through with jobs. Walter Dean Myers includes this wisdom to show what Malcolm X’s parents went through to try to give him a better life.

Thus, the wisdom of times being harder for your ancestors than you is incorporated in Walter Dean Myers’ texts. In The Glory Field the Lewis family remembers Muhammad and the troubles he went through in slavery. In “The Story of the Three Kingdoms” the wisdom is also applicable because the People went through many troubles to persevere over the three kingdoms and the People are the ancestors of certain individuals. Furthermore, Malcolm X by Any Means Necessary describes how Malcolm X’s ancestors had trouble finding jobs. Now, if you begin to find yourself in a melancholy mood because of your troubles think about your ancestors’ troubles.

Industrial Revolution Document Based Essay

The Industrial Revolution was a very important event in United States history. It began in the late 19th century and changed the economy of the United States from one based on agriculture to one based on the mass production of goods. Before the Industrialization production of goods was not efficient because a craftsman had to make them. After the Industrialization production of goods became more efficient because of mass production. Railroads aided the Industrial Revolution after refrigerated railroad were created. As a result of the Industrialization workers faced many problems.
Before the Industrial Revolution the production of goods was not very efficient. Document 3 states that “Mr. Will, the master, is seated before a bench assembling the parts of a mug. An apprentice boy who is learning the trade, wearily cranks a big wheel... one of the, master’s sons is using to polish a pewter bowl. Working over the forge is a journeyman.” It took many men performing various tasks to produce one bowl or mug. Furthermore, it was a tedious task and therefore not many of the products were available. As a result, the goods were often expensive and because of this few people could afford goods made by a master or apprentice.
After the Industrial Revolution the production of goods became more efficient as a result of mass production. In Document 4 it is expressed that “In that way (mass production) much is produced a great deal cheaper than it used to be. In fact, 100 men are able to do what it took 300 or 400 men to do 15 years ago.” It took less men to make goods through mass production. Moreover, the process of making these goods became quicker because one man would only specialize in making one part of a certain product and most likely not know anything about the other parts. Since there was less emphasis on developing a craft there were more products made. Since supply increased, they were more readily available, making them cheaper and therefore allowing more people to buy them.
Railroads assisted the Industrial Revolution when refrigerated railroad cars were created. Document 2 states that “The introduction of refrigerated railroad car in 1870 allowed fresh meat and produce to be transported all over the nation.” Before refrigerated railroad cars were created fresh meat and produce could not be transported by train. The reason for this is that without refrigerated railroad cars there was no way to transport food without it becoming spoiled. The cars allowed companies that sold fresh food expand their reach in terms of allowing more people to have access to their products.
As a result of the Industrial Revolution workers faced many problems. Document 7 states that one of the problems was that “Employees faced a six-day week with between 10 and 14 hours of work a day.” Workers were often not paid that much and needed to work long to make enough money to support their family and give them the necessities for life. Document 7 also states that “There were few safeguards around machinery, thousands of workers were injured or killed in accidents each year.” which is another hardship that workers faced. Most workers at this time worked in factories which used dangerous machines that workers operated. The machines did not have anything to block workers from falling into them or getting caught in them.
As you can see, the Industrial revolution was a crucial event in American history. It changed the economy of the united States to one centered around industries and production of goods from one based on agriculture. Before the Industrial Revolution was inefficient since a master craftsman had to make them. After the Industrial Revolution mass production began and goods could be produced more efficiently. The creation of the refrigerated railroad car helped in the Industrial Revolution. Despite all of these positive things that the Industrial Revolution about it caused many problems for workers. Without the Industrial Revolution our economy would not be the way that it is today.