The Problem We All Live With

Ms. Hansen, English I

Directions

• You are expected to use your highest level of thinking.

• Answer every prompt.

• Write your answers in complete sentences and short paragraphs.

• Write your name, date, and period # on the paper.

• Title the paper, The Problem We All Live With.

The Problem We All Live With

The following painting is titled The Problem We All Live With. It was painted by the American artist, Norman Rockwell, in 1964. In his painting, Rockwell immortalized an important event in American history as some states struggled with the federal law that public schools had to be segregated.

Closely examine the painting. You will use details in the painting as evidence to support your thinking.

The Primary Character

1. At first glance, what do you think the subject of the painting is? What evidence do you base your answer on?

2. Where is the little girl going? What evidence do you base your answer on?

3. How does she feel about going to this place? What evidence do you base your answer on?

4. What are some adjectives that describe her intentions and character? What evidence do you base your answer on? Hint: Look at her posture and facial expression. Use your knowledge about the connotative meaning of color to infer why the artist chose to clothe her in white.

The Secondary Characters

5. Look at the four figures surrounding the girl. Establish at least four ways the figures are similar.

6. What is in the pocket of the figure to the left?

7. What do the armbands on the figures state?

8. Why do you think Rockwell chose to cut the heads of the figures out of the painting?

9. What is their purpose?

The Background

10. In the background, an unacceptable term is painted onto the wall. Who is it directed at?

11. To the far left, initials are etched into the wall. What do the initials stand for? What do the initials convey?

12. Behind the girl, a tomato struck the wall and slid to the ground. Where was the tomato supposed to hit?

13. Rockwell chose to paint his tomato and its juices a vivid red. Use your knowledge of the connotative meaning of color to determine what the aggressor was feeling and what his/her intention was.

The Immortalized Event

On November 14, 1960, 6-year-old Ruby Bridges was the first African-American student to enter what had been an all-white school in New Orleans, Louisiana. Four deputy US Marshals escorted her into her new school to protect her from the angry mob of people who were against segregated schools. Parents pulled their children out of the school; teachers refused to teach. Only one person, Barbara Henry, agreed to teach Ruby. For that entire school year, Ruby was the only student in Ms. Henry’s classroom.

What Is “The Problem”?

Now that you know the history behind the painting, you will reexamine what the subject is.

14. From the vantage point of the viewer (you), where did the tomato come from?

15. Who threw the tomato? The answer is NOT the KKK, an angry parent, or any one single person. Who threw the tomato? WHO THREW THE TOMATO?

“The Problem”

16. Summarize (use) the evidence in the painting to determine WHAT contributed to the problem.

17. Summarize (use) evidence from the painting to determine WHO the problem is. Hint: the problem is NOT the little girl. It is NOT Ruby Bridges; it is NOT the KKK. Again, who threw the tomato?

18. After examining your answers based on the evidence, what is the subject of the painting? Write a paragraph that summarizes your ideas.

Follow Directions

• Be sure your answers are well-thought out and supported by evidence.

• Be sure your answers are written in complete sentences and paragraphs.

• Be sure your name, date, and period # are written in the upper right-hand corner.

• Be sure to title the assignment, The Problem We All Live With.

• Be sure to staple pages together before I announce it is time to turn your assignment in.