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2. At times, Erenreich seems to raise tangential issues. When she describes her coworkers smoking, for instance, she writes: "Because work is what you do for others; Smoking is what you do for yourself. I don't know why the antismoking crusaders have never grasped the element of defiant self-nurturance that makes the habit so endearing to its victims -- as if...feeding them" (para 2). What is the effect of this commentary? What is its relevance to Erenreich's overall purpose?

3. Overall, what is your attitude toward Erenreich and her method of research? Does choosing to live as one of the working poor for a short period of time -- as a kind of visitor or tourist-- give her an accurate picture of their lives? Explain whether you find her presentation of them respectful, convincing, sympathetic, patronizing, superficial, or some combination of these. Cite specific passages.