Video Analysis: Waging A Living

Waging a living Waging a living is based on four people’s lives on achieving the American Dream and leaving the poor to become a better person financially and overall. The four people in the video are Jean R, Jerry L, Mary V, and Barbara B. All four have interesting stories and many hardships to overcome. The two most interesting moments that struck me in the video were about Jerry. Jerry was homeless at one point and lives paycheck to paycheck. I could not imagine my life depending on my next paycheck or the next time I was going to get paid from my job. Jerry’s story hit me because he was rock bottom, and by working as a security guard at the hotel he was able to get off the streets and live in a small apartment. He always had a positive attitude and never missed a day of work. Although Jerry had to live pay check to pay check, he
The two symbols that stood out the most were living spaces and sickness. The living spaces of the families in the video were all extremely crammed and small. Since every family had multiple kids, it made these living conditions seem even worse. Barbara and Jean stood out because they were taking care of various kids and also other family members. The small living conditions symbolized how much they struggled but always did the best they could to support their family. Sickness is another symbol throughout the movie that kept coming up. Barbara and her son were sick in the movie as well as Jean and her daughter, Bridgette, who had cancer. Sickness can be considered as a symbol because being sick did not stop Bridgette or anyone in the movie in living and being strong. Bridgette has cancer and was not supposed to live past the year, but she was strong, and with the help of her mother she lived many more years than the doctors said she would. Therefore, it showed how life can be challenging, but with support and a family who cares, people can move forward from a bad sickness and tough