"First World Problems" Is a Real Problem

        If you have ever heard the song "First World Problems" you probably laugh at its ridiculous nature, but if you listen closely to the lyrics, you will find that most of the "problems" that the singer states are actually things that people in first world countries will complain about.  For instance, I cannot tell you how many times I have heard people complain about how slow the 3G or 4G is on their smart phones, and I have been one to also complain how trashy my "dumb" phone is.  It really annoys me when they complain about "problems" like that, because while these people are complaining how "slow" their phones are, there are people out on the streets who have barely enough money to live off of.  People in this day and age are so used to the instant gratification that many lose patience with the small things in life.  An example of this is when people are in line at a fast food restaurant and the service is kind of slow, people get antsy and start to get angry with the workers.  How ridiculous is this? We cannot wait an extra 5-10 minutes for our food, and will get angry about not receiving food? This just shows how we cannot wait for anything, it has to be fast enough so that we can get on with our lives as soon as possible.  Another "first world problem" is when the water in the shower is too cold or even lukewarm.  This I have been known to complain about as well, because I am so used to warm water to shower in, not cold water.  This just shows how privileged we are, us Americans have it grand, we get clean, hot water to shower in, whereas in third world countries, people are getting diseases due to the lack of clean water, whereas everyday we get to shower in clean, warm water.  There needs to be a time where everyone stops for a second and realizes how privileged we are in these United States and start being more grateful that we DO have smartphones and fast food places, instead of living in a place that has dirty water or barely enough food for people to eat and live.

As Strong as Steel: Ma Joad

       

      The character Ma Joad in The Grapes of Wrath plays a very important role in the book.  Ma is a very strong woman, who eventually takes charge of the family.  When looking at a piece of steel, it is a perfect representation of Ma.  Steel is very strong, and even though it may get beaten down, it still has the strength to carry on and continue to be the stronghold of, for example, a big building.  Like a dented piece of steel, Ma has to deal with a lot of hardships in her life.  She went from having all her family under one roof, to having her son Tom sent to jail for killing a man.  This was a terrible event for Ma, because it meant that she did not know when she would see her son again.  More terrible events occur; the land is no longer fertile and the Joads are forced to look for work elsewhere, so like thousands of other families, they venture on to California to look for work.  This kills Ma, '"I never had my house pushed over, I never had my fambly stuck out on the road.  I never had to sell-everything," it is evident that Ma is hurting inside, but because of her strong nature, she does not show her emotions outside so that she would not scare her family (page 77).  Ma's strong nature shows again when she "tried to look back, but the body of the load cut off her view. She straightened her head and peered straight ahead along the dirt road" (page 114).  This passage shows that Ma is trying to look behind at her past life that she loved, but the present day event got in front of her view of the past, symbolizing that the past was no more, and that the present was now there and there was no going back.  Ma, although very hurt inside, has come to this realization and looks forward to the future.  Like steel that gets bent and worn over time, Ma has many heart-wrenching moments that beat her up inside and leave permanent scars on her heart, but also like the steel, Ma never gives up and always remains on her feet and keeps holding her family together and stays strong.

Source:    
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