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Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America Study Guide

by Barbara Ehrenreich

Nickel and Dimed is a book by Barbara Ehrenreich. Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America study guide contains a biography of author Barbara Ehrenreich, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

Ehrenreich begins her book by discussing her preparations for her endeavor. The idea is to enter the low-wage workforce for a period of time as a way of investigating poverty in the age of welfare reform. “How does anyone live on the wages available to the unskilled?” Ehrenreich asks. “How, in particular, [are] the roughly four million women about to booted into the labor market by welfare reform going to make it on $6 or $7 an hour?” In the vein of a scientist conducting an experiment, Ehrenreich resolves to find out for herself, adopting a few rules and limitations—no hunger, no homelessness, no relying on skills derived from her usual work, access to a car, whether her own or a Rent-a-Wreck paid for by her credit card—and beginning her…

Read the full Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America Summary

• Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America Summary
• About Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America
• Character List
• Glossary of Terms
• Major Themes
• Quotes and Analysis
• Summary and Analysis of "Introduction: Getting Ready"
• Summary and Analysis of Chapter One: "Serving in Florida"
• Summary and Analysis of Chapter Two: "Scrubbing in Maine"
• Summary and Analysis of Chapter Three: "Selling in Minnesota"
• Summary and Analysis of "Evaluation"
• Poverty in America
• Related Links on Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America
• Suggested Essay Questions
• Test Yourself! - Quiz 1
• Test Yourself! - Quiz 2
• Test Yourself! - Quiz 3
• Test Yourself! - Quiz 4
• Test Yourself! - Quiz 5
• Author of ClassicNote and Sources

• Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America: Major Themes
• Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America: Questions
• Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America: Purchase the Novel and Related Material
• Barbara Ehrenreich: Biography