Question

Imagine you were born in 1830. Throughout your life, you witness one momentous change after another. By the first decade of the twentieth century, the world around you has been transformed thoroughly. Now comes an important event in your life. It may not make it into the history books or the newspapers, but it’s all your family members can talk about…the birth of your first great granddaughter in 1914! You’ve lived through a lot of changes, and you begin to wonder about how the world might be transformed during her lifetime. After all, your granddaughter might well live until the year 2000! You sit down to write a letter to your newborn granddaughter—something she can read in the years and decades ahead. Reflecting on the types of changes that have taken place in your lifetime, you decide to write about what you think will happen in the century ahead. Your letter will address possible changes in the four categories you looked at in the previous activity: political/military, cultural, science/technology, and social/economic. In addition, you’ll want to write about these key points:

A: Ways in which life might improve in the future.
B: Good things from the previous century that might be lost as times change.
C: How your granddaughter should view change, what she should resist and what she should embrace.

Answer 1

Dear Granddaughter

I don't know if I would be alive when you read this letter, but I hope whenever you do get a chance to read this, you are in the best of health and in a happy place in life.

For everyone who lives, the world they live in is all the matters. However, soon when you look back at life, you understand that your place in the bigger picture is very small.
Humans come and go, but the world continues to do grow and move on. Each one of us, leave a mark on this world in some way or the other and it surely is a beautiful thing.

I was born in 1830, a time when believe it or not, there was no electricity, no telephones, radios, movies or even airplanes!


Now you might think I lived in a prehistoric place but we didn't look at it like that. In my own lifetime, man has made numerous strides and I am pretty sure you will see a lot of things in your life.

They say man might one day set foot on the moon. I am not sure if I would be able to see if but I sure hope you are able to! They say, in a few years, we might have small movie boxes in every home, where people would be able to watch films in their living rooms, never needing to go to a theater!
I am sure medical science will improve too in your lifetime, and you will have a far healthier life than I did.

However, I am sure, some things from my time will be missed. For example, my generation used to sleep early and wake up early. Since all we had were candles, there was no real entertainment at night and we just slept!

Also, communication was slow, we did not have telephones and the only real way of staying in touch was through mail. For me, it kinda meant all relationships were special!

However, remember, change, is usually and mostly good. Embrace change. There are numerous opportunities that will come your way, so never be afraid and live a happy, fulfilling life!

I wish you all the best my deal girl!

Love Always

Your Granddad