Organization Reflection

 

Nickel and Dimed is split into four sections. The first three chapters are her detailed experiences of having three different minimum wage jobs. Ehrenreich constantly stresses that fact that "getting by in America" is not only physically difficult but also mentally painful. Ehrenreich's exagerration of stress in the workforce creates a story-like tone yet a realistic setting. The last chapter of the book "evaluates" her many careers, and settles on the fact that having a minimum wage job can only get you so far in todays' living standards.

Chapter 1: Serving in Florida 

The author makes it clear that it is difficult to maintain comfortability, financial stability, and sanity. Her job is to be a waitress and seems physically difficult even though she claims she is more that average a fit woman. 





 

Chapter 3: Selling in Minnesota

She now lives in Minnesota and finds a job at Wal-Mart. She endures a lifestyle of sleepless nights. She relates her job to one of a mother as she states, " all i do is pick up after people". She is unable to find a place to stay at first but eventually finds a questionable hotel to live in. Her job seems endless and is stressful, giving her mental insecurity.





 

Chapter 2: Scrubbing in Maine 

The author begins her journey in a new location, Maine. The job se eventually picks up is a maid service. The author establishes the fact that this career is not only  stressful physically but mentally. She is also associated in another job that includes her feeding patients at a nursing home. She eventually demands help due to the lack of safety 





 

Chapter 4: Evaluation

She evaluates all the jobs she has had and compares them to her financial status that she has now. "The sky will not fall, and we will all be better off for it in the end" The quote summarizes most of the story. Workers want to "paid their worth" rather than feeling like their "not getting by"