Saturday, February 27, 2016

Why do Lyddie's roommates caution her about Diana?

Lyddie's roommates warn her that Diana might be a dangerous person to be associated with, because she is a vocal proponent for better working conditions.  


Very few of the girls disagree with Diana's desire to get better working conditions in the factories.  Several girls even think of themselves as slaves, so it makes sense that they would support Diana . . . in spirit.  However, if Lyddie or any of the other girls publicly align themselves with Diana, they are risking their jobs and their paychecks.  Factory owners want to make as much money as possible.  That means work the girls as long and hard as possible for as little pay as they can get by with.  The owners maintain this power by threatening to blacklist any worker who causes too much trouble.  Diana is one of those women.  She even organizes meetings and circulates a petition to be signed by the girls.  Diana has her heart in the right place, but Lyddie is risking her own job by being close to Diana.  

No comments:

Post a Comment

Thomas Jefferson's election in 1800 is sometimes called the Revolution of 1800. Why could it be described in this way?

Thomas Jefferson’s election in 1800 can be called the “Revolution of 1800” because it was the first time in America’s short history that pow...