Ref: MAT2_B01.doc |
Part B: Excerpts & Historical Context: Parallel Lives in Perspective |
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B-01. Introduction to a Common Work Experience, Early Education & Oral History Genre |
The interviews let Jack and Wanda speak by directly quoting
from and pointing to the original source and give their stories historical
context by noting other or complementary experiences reported by the
subject's contemporaries. Part B.2 onwards includes excerpts with some historical
context provided by other references.
Jack’s and
Wanda’s experiences parallel to those of their contemporaries. But in some ways
they differ. For example, while Jack did not serve in the armed forces during
WWII, he sought admittance to various service branches and later accepted various
commercial posts outside of the United States in support of the war effort.
Wanda was in her country of Birth, Canada, when she met Jack and had
experiences that were different from that of many of her neighbors. They both
were employed by a contractor of the US Government War effort which was
overseeing the construction of the Trans-Canadian Highway. Later, Wanda moved
to NY with Jack. She worked at Look Magazine before she had her nine
children and later opened a small sewing business with a neighbor..
Jack, who
was in public relations for good part of his professional life, has provided a
biographical sketch as well as a list of some stories from his early life. Jack immediately seemed more comfortable telling
or re-telling his story and putting it in Historical context with great
attention to dates and places. Wanda’s stories mostly evolved while relating
family and friends experiences which she connects by general themes and or
philosophical points.
Wanda grew
up for the most part in a rural, western Canadian setting and Jack in Urban,
Eastern U.S.A. Wanda was born in a log cabin, walked miles to a one-room school
and could be snowed in for weeks at a time during long winters. She finished
High School with a commercial degree because most of the jobs open to a woman
who went on for a college degree were in Education and Nursing. The business
world seemed more attractive to Wanda than the nursing or teacher roles. She
notes her father was mildly disappointed at the time but supported her
decision.
Jack, the son of a Mounted NY City police
detective, had a mostly Irish American urban community experience in Brooklyn
and Queens NY. He speaks warmly of the times, mentioning details of popular
radio shows and his childhood swimming. He obtained his College Degree in New
York and then began searching for work.
There seems
to be a gender focus or perspective in the later narratives. Wanda adds much
texture during her experience of leaving work and raising nine children and
still finding time to explore a small business. Her story is "hearth"
and local community centered. [See section B.7].
Jack focuses on the later political campaigns he was involved with, Adlai
Stevenson, Nelson Rockefeller and Jacob Javits [see
Section B.8]. During the interview process there was a collaborative
sharing of some of their wartime and dating experience. This process highlighted
their different personalities but shared sense of humor.
But where
does the story fit in the Oral History genre? The "voice" in which
they are most comfortable effects how they tell their stories and which experiences
came readily to mind. These interviews seem to be to be mix of biography and
history.
For a further discussion including
comparisons of individual experiences and stories concerning transformations of
society see Section B.9