In Wolfgang Schivelbusch’s writing, he discusses the transformation in transportation.  To go form one place to another, in the past people would drive cars, giving the ability to take in the nature that surrounded them.  Once the railroads were established, the people argued they were losing the ability to be one with nature because everything was moving so quickly past them.  Flowers became a blur and one could only see streaks of color.  Along with this complaint, the people mentioned the establishment of reading liesure books on trains instead of socializing with the ones around them.  It is interesting for me to try and understand this point because nowadays, on trains and planes everyone keeps to themselves whether they read a book, do work, or simply sleep and enjoy music.

Schivelbusch also mentions the compartments, dealing with the issue of class.  Because railroad cars we are identical, the upper class had an issue knowing they were getting the same treatment as the lower classes.  The upper class wanted to dominate and showoff their wealth.

Natalie Davis’ piece on religious riots in 16th century France also discusses the differences from the past to the present.  Religious riots were very common during that time period due to the Reformation that was occurring.  The way Davis argued her points were different than Schivelbusch in a sense that Davis told the reader specifically what she was going to argue and how.  The amount of examples she used to support her facts was a little overwhelming because it almost felt as if she was trying too hard.  In all, her conclusion is what made the most sense to me.  She went back to her introduction and summed up her paper in only a few sentences.