Seven

     Anna believed to get away from their bad life was to get an “edjication.” She believed it meant “your hands stay white,” you read books, and work in an office; however, Anna was wrong. During this time period, Olsen shows education could not keep “your hands white.” Education is depicted by old man Caldwell. Caldwell did not keep his hands white even though he received a college education he became a farmer. He said that his “education began after” he “got out of college.” Mazie’s education was fragile and died too soon like Caldwell. She did not have the chance to comprehend and use his wise words to her advantage.

     Education was shown as a hopeless and unnecessary dream of changing to a better life. In the farm school, Mazie was “shamed” for not being able to read. At the Nebraska school, the teachers wrote Mazie and Will off because they came from a farm.  

     Elton John’s song, “This Train Don’t Stop There Anymore”, allows reads to understand how education was once thought of as a savior for Mazie during that time period.
(Listen to the indicated lyrics/time)


Education: 

(0:56-1:13)I used to be the main express
All steam and whistles heading west
Picking up my pain from door to door
Riding on the storyline
Furnace burning overtime

Yet, education became a hopeless and worthless dream Anna had for Mazie because education could do nothing for Mazie.

(1:15-1:30)

But this train don't stop,
This train don't stop,
This train don't stop there anymore