Chapter 16

Even with $1000 for their pumpkins, this hardly seems enough. This money is suppose to allow Mary and Eric to pay for their rent for the coming months. Although there are able to work for their rent, doesn't that take away time from other duties? Will their crops suffer if Eric is being forced to work his rent off at the Miller's? In order to take advantage of this wouldn't one want to specialize in one area so that they may become more efficient and therefore receive more money for less hours? Wouldn't this then lead to a completely different system where people specialized in what they were best at to yield the highest good for the greatest number of people? Why would one want to be able to pay for a lifestyle only working with their bare hands? Not only will this cause greater wear and tear on the body, it must shorten the longevity of life. Won't they begin to age more quickly due to the stress they have placed on their bodies? What happens when they can no longer physically meet the demands necessary to stay afloat? Must you have children so that they may take care of you once you become to old to work? What is to happen to Eric and Mary once they have their first child? Mary will need assistance around the house and have less time for cooking and bottling and preserving foods if she is tending to a newborn.