Cosmetic clips/Miriam's song

Cosmetic clips exposed different negative aspects of being a clerical saleswoman. It easily wipes away many glamorized stereotypes women have about being a makeup girl. When she tells her story in prose it's easier to see larger more obvious problems that go on behind the scenes. When she tells her story in poems she shows her heart. 

This story was really sad. In a way it was motivating because the author uses a bad situation to push her self into going to graduate school. A lot of the problems she had with her job were relatable because they're common in customer service jobs and lots of sixteen year olds know what thats like: an expectancy to bend morals for the good of the company, little respect and long hours, menial tasks... I'm glad she got herself out! :)

Miriam's song reflected Miriam's childhood struggle with an abusive stepfather. She outlines her struggle by using the story of Moses as a parable. She uses personal letters to show how the situation affected individual members of the family. The conversation piece really showed miriam and her stepfather's relationship and how she felt about him.  

It was really sad to see how much a person could take advantage of their family, just because they're his family. It was also sad to see a child being taken completely advantage of. I loved how this story ends.:)