A Peasant's View of Taming the City

A few months ago, I moved to Spain with my husband and two kids. We were all hoping to get jobs in the city and make a profit we could live off of. All of that changed when we realized how bad the city's condition was. The streets were crowded and filthy, the town houses were packed and over populated, and there were many diseases being spread. Not only were the cities dirty, but so were the factories. We barely made enough money to make a living. Finally, they decided to improve the living conditions. I am much happier now that the streets are becoming cleaner and the factories are becoming safer. it is a better place to live and i am glad that my family and i can all have a job and make a profit.

A Laborer's View of the Changing Family

Recently the change in family dynamics has been startling. First off, my parents did not arrange a marriage for myself, I was allowed and encouraged to find a wife for myself. Even more satisfying was the fact that I was not pressured to find someone for financial gains, but rather for love as described by Gustav Droz. The effects of such a marriage, one that is full of love, is much happier, in comparison to the marriage of my parents' arranged marriage. Moreover, I am capable of supporting our family in way that allows my wife to stay at home manage the house, children, and general family finances. She cares for our four children dearly and I am very grateful for that. The only thing that greatly concerncs me is the rise in premarital sex and prostitution. I do not want our children, specifically our daughters, being exposed to the idea of illegitimate children, which has increased to an alarming number. Likewise, I do not want our boys being exposed to the option of prostitution. There is not much I can do but hope that our family values will guide them away from such devilish activity.

Factory Worker's View of the Reforms and Revolutions

Dear Diary,
I think that the Revolutions and Reforms around Europe are wonderful. The fact that we are taking a stand and fighting against the aristocracy for equality and freedom for the less fortunate, like me. But, in Spain, eventually, after a revolution, the Spanish regime was restored again. So, for us it was not a great success personally, but the working class and the middle class in general got a lot of benefit out of this because we began to have a stand in the class system. Also, many other working class people around the continent gained liberalism in their countries, which was a large success.
Your Friend,
Factory Man

A Peasant's View of the Romantic Era

I truly enjoyed the Romantic Era. Since it was a time where people stressed individualism and rejected materialistic items, I fit right into it. I don' t have much of anything and the fact that romantics lived their life differently than the aristocracy, I feel less alone and more a part of my country. Also, I enjoy listening to music, wherever I may find music. Beethoven is my favorite. I hope one day that I will get to listen to him more than I do now, which is barely at all. I don't think that Spain, Portugal, and Italy necessarily love the Romantic Era, but they certainly don't hate it. New literature, music, and art were introduced and everyone enjoyed it. Maybe they didn't like the nature part of it , but overall, I think that Spain, Portugal, and Italy reacted well with the Romantic Era.