What is the message of the song “I Will Go West!”?
The song "I Will Go West!" is about a family that wants to move to the western part of the country for a better life. The message is all about hope and adventure, showing that they believe they can find good opportunities and happiness if they leave their old home behind and start fresh in the West.
What are the speaker’s motives for moving his family out West?
The speaker wants to move his family out West because he thinks it will give them a better future. He believes there are more job opportunities and a chance for them to have a happier life. He wants to escape the hardships they are facing where they currently live and explore new possibilities for their family.
Group: Miners The experiences of the miners were a bit different from the white settler in the song. While both were looking for better opportunities, miners faced a lot of danger and hard work digging for gold or silver. They often lived in rough conditions and sometimes had conflicts with other miners. In the song, the settler seems to be more focused on family and stability, while miners were often alone and focused on getting rich quick.
Group: Native Americans
Native Americans had very different experiences compared to the white settler. They were already living in the West when the settlers arrived. The settlers took their land, so many Native Americans lost their homes and were forced to move to new places. The song doesn’t mention this struggle, focusing instead on the hopes of the settlers.
Group: Chinese immigrants
Chinese immigrants also had a hard time when moving out West. Like the white settler, they came looking for work, but they often faced discrimination and unfair treatment. They worked hard jobs, like building railroads, and didn’t get the same opportunities as the white settlers. While both groups were trying to improve their lives, the Chinese immigrants had to deal with more challenges and prejudice that the settlers did not face.