Nomadland: Surviving America in the Twenty-First Century

Bruder often refers to the American Dream throughout Nomadland. Write an essay analyzing the title Nomadland and how you see it relating to idea of the American Dream.

Throughout the book, numerous people explain what it means to be “houseless” versus “homeless.” What is the difference between these terms? Why might nomads prefer one term over the other?

Bruder often reflects back on the vagabonds of the Great Depression and how they differ from today’s nomads. Write an essay comparing and contrasting the vagabonds of the Great Depression in the 1930s with the van dwellers and nomads of the Great Recession post-2008. What do Okies and nomads have in common? How are they different?