Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting by in America

by Barbara Ehrenreich

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Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting by in America

The primary humor in "Serving in Florida" from Nickel and Dimed is ironic and sarcastic. Ehrenreich uses irony to highlight the restaurant's filth, describing it as a "cavern" with "creamy carrion"...

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Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting by in America

"Serving in Florida" aims to highlight the economic struggles of low-wage workers, emphasizing the skill and perseverance required in such roles. Barbara Ehrenreich critiques capitalism's failure to...

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Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting by in America

Discrimination significantly shapes Ehrenreich's narrative, as she uncovers biases against race, gender, and class in the workplace. As an undercover low-wage worker, she encounters racial...

2 educator answers

Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting by in America

In "Serving in Florida," Ehrenreich targets readers who have never experienced the struggles of living on a minimum-wage income. She aims to convey the emotions and frustrations of low-wage workers...

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Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting by in America

Barbara Ehrenreich balances her narrative stance by acting as both an outsider and insider in "Serving in Florida." As an undercover journalist, she participates in low-wage work while maintaining...

2 educator answers

Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting by in America

I would classify the tone in Nickel and Dimed as caustic because Barbara Ehrenreich is trying to get her message across about how difficult it is for a minimum wage worker to survive on this meager...

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Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting by in America

the author's main purpose for writing this book is to expose the corporate greed in America, and prove that low-income workers are unable to survive on their low wages.

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Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting by in America

In Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting by in America, Ehrenreich's failures in her low-wage work experience highlight the systemic challenges faced by low-income workers. She struggles with the...

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Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting by in America

Barbara Ehrenreich is a journalist and essayist. In order to do her investigation, she took low-wage jobs, such as waitressing and housecleaning work. She followed three rules: no use of prior...

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Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting by in America

Barbara Ehrenreich establishes her ethos in her interactions with George, a young Czech dishwasher, by initially showing sympathy towards his vulnerable status as a recent immigrant. She helps him...

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Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting by in America

The lack of healthcare insurance in "Nickel and Dimed" highlights the physical and psychological toll on low-income workers. Barbara Ehrenreich experiences a medical issue while undercover,...

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Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting by in America

Americans often rely heavily on family support due to cultural values emphasizing self-reliance and a strong work ethic, which can lead to viewing government assistance as shameful. This contrasts...

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Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting by in America

The author finds that want ads are not a reliable measure of the actual jobs available at any particular time. This is because establishments that hire poorly paid workers often run want ads even...

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Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting by in America

Ehrenreich skillfully combines the techniques of journalism and literature in her piece.

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Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting by in America

While Nickel and Dimed is primarily a straightforward account, Barbara Ehrenreich uses a few metaphors to highlight the challenges of low-wage work. For example, she likens the "service ethic" to a...

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Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting by in America

The author uses a detached tone throughout the entire book.

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Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting by in America

Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America by Barbara Ehrenreich explores the challenges and ethical issues faced by minimum wage workers in the U.S. The book questions how individuals can meet...

2 educator answers

Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting by in America

In "Serving in Florida," Barbara Ehrenreich uses diction that reflects both empathy and subtle contempt. Her language captures the challenges of low-wage work while maintaining a sense of detachment,...

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Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting by in America

The hands-and-knees approach to cleaning is appealing because it is old fashioned and seems to gratify consumers of maid services.

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Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting by in America

I will split my answer into three parts. The first part of this question is to ask "what are the connections, if any," between maids and minorities in the United States. Ehrenreich states that most...

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Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting by in America

In "Scrubbing in Maine," Ehrenreich breaks her rules by not taking the cheapest housing available and risking her job by confronting her boss. She opts for a $120-a-week apartment instead of the...

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Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting by in America

Ehrenreich's personal voice is vital to the success of "Nickel and Dimed" because it makes the book more interesting and allows for a deeper connection with the reader.

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Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting by in America

In Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting by in America, Barbara Ehrenreich uses "wage slave" to describe workers who earn wages insufficient to cover basic living expenses, such as housing and food....

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