Serfs in Medieval EuropeHomeless in America
Comparing the Plight of Medieval Serfs with the Homeless Today

Assignment to hand in: Critical Thinking Questions for Comparing the Plight of Serfs with the Homeless

Directions: Critical Thinking Questions: Look at the pictures below and read their descriptions. Then read the Background Information and answer each Critical Thinking Question on the Student Handout: Critical Thinking Questions for Comparing the Plight of Serfs with the Homeless.

Serfs v. Homeless: Food

Serfs working the land and homeless today at soup kitchen In this transparency we see serfts working the land - a source of much of their food - and homeless people eating a meal at a shelter.

Serfs v. Homeless: Shelter

Serfs working on manor and homeless on a park bench In this transparency we see serfs working on a manor outside their huts and a homeless person's shelter - a park bench. Behind the serf huts is the Lord's shelter - a castle.

Serfs v. Homeless: Clothing

Clothing of serfs and a homeless man on the street In this transparency we see the clothing of serfs on a manor and a homeless man on the street. The serfs wear simple clothes typical of their class. The homeless man keeps some clothes in his shopping basket. To his right, there are second-hand clothes for sale.

Serfs v. Homeless: Personal Safety

Serfs v. Homeless Personal Safety In this transparency we see serfs working outside the lord's castle and homeles people on a city street. Theoretically, the lord who lives in the castle would be responsible for protecting the serfs on his land, as well as deciding much of their fate. The homeless who live on the street are quite vunerable.

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