Question

3. Imagine you were born in 1830. Throughout your life, you witness one momentous change after another. By the first decade of the twentieth century, the world around you has been transformed thoroughly. Now comes an important event in your life. It may not make it into the history books or the newspapers, but it’s all your family members can talk about…the birth of your first great granddaughter in 1914! You’ve lived through a lot of changes, and you begin to wonder about how the world might be transformed during her lifetime. After all, your granddaughter might well live until the year 2000! You sit down to write a letter to your newborn granddaughter—something she can read in the years and decades ahead. Reflecting on the types of changes that have taken place in your lifetime, you decide to write about what you think will happen in the century ahead. Your letter will address possible changes in the four categories you looked at in the previous activity: political/military, cultural, science/technology, and social/economic.
In addition, you’ll want to write about these key points:
(a) Ways in which life might improve in the future.
(b) Good things from the previous century that might be lost as times change.
(c) How your granddaughter should view change, what she should resist and what she should embrace.

Answer 1

Dear Granddaughter, Josephine Ann Morris.

How lovely to see you, still so tiny, in the arms of your mother, Janet. You were a gift to our whole family. This letter, I want to write to you, because I have dreamed a lot with you, your mother and your brothers. For some reason, as much as I see myself with you in those dreams that I have dreamed many nights, I feel that I will not be here to see what may happen in the future.

The world has undergone many changes, and the purpose of this letter is to advise. I do not want to put fear in you, but I want to advise you what I would do in your place. Our country is growing a lot and gaining worldwide influence. Many other nations disagree with the policies and decisions that move from here. From what I have been dreaming and from what I have read in the newspapers, it is likely that nations will come into conflict. Be prepared emotionally for that. Women are increasingly mobilizing, through suffrage, to have more independence and autonomy. They will be able to vote for the decisions of our Country. Consider this as a gift, because in my time, I could not do it. In terms of quality, you're sure to live better than I do, because technologies are advancing. The media will also be better developed. You can view information through a cube-shaped device. You will be able to know other countries, because you will have more options to travel, in different means of transport.

With the rise of women, who would gain voice and vote, there will be repression, machismo and other things that could affect you. Resist those things. I advise you to stand out from all your future co-workers by doing your work with excellence, so that you can be recognized. Save money, save money, maybe you want to open a business for you. I dreamed that in 1929, there will be a major crisis across the country. Protect yourself from this. As for the prejudices for being a woman and having a good position, resist, with justice, with love.

With all the love in the world,

Your grandmother,

Joanne Ann Morris

Atlanta, Georgia, July 23, 1914