*Learning Log #3

Both "Once Upon A Time" and "A Quilt of a Country" underline the problems of not fully
accepting one another. In "A Quilt of a Country", Quindlen talks about all the problems America
has faced, including the segregation of those with colored skin, murders of gay men, the denial
of women's rights, and separation of different races. She shows how due to slight differences,
society tends to treat everyone differently. She highlights those who are mistreated, just as
Gordimer does inOnce Upon a Time. Gordimer talks about the struggles of apartheid, and
how it affects everyone. She shows how the lower class is regarded as trash, and how the upper
class is treated as royalty. Gordimer also shows how the upper class has to face problems due to
how society treats certain people.
Both authors also show how tragedies affect society. Quindlen states how the people in
America come together in tragedies, but even then there are still problems face. Gordimer also
shows that in tragedies, the people don't fully come together as one whole. Both authors show
how, even in tough times, if we don't fully come together, the problem won't be solved for
everyone. All in all, both authors have many similarities in the topics discussed.