The Issue of the Institutions

Question #1 & 2: Lee taking on both the EPA and City Hall.  Discuss the perception of City Hall officials to Lee.  How do they treat her?  What quotes support this?  Are they fulfilling their responsibility to protect? Discuss the response of the EPA to Lee. What is their response to her? What quotes support this? Are they fulfilling their responsibility to protect?

 From the very first line from the scene where Lee takes on City Hall, it is made clear to the reader that Lee has been to City Hall to discuss her opinions on the toxicity of the soil multiple times, and has never been taken seriously or been truly heard. While she remains determined to her cause she is fully aware of the attitudes that people have towards her and what they thing of her as shown through her observation of the man sitting next to her solely staring at her shirt rather than looking at her or listening to her information.

"At City Hall, Lee always tried to sit near the front, so that she'd be noticed...It was rare that she managed to get her concerns in the agenda anymore, but during the time set aside for other business at the end, she could usually say a few things about her research before adjournment, and maybe two or three out of thirty people would listen." (pg. 87)

The City Hall officials treat Lee almost as if she were a small child attempting to be part of an adult conversation filled with words and ideas that are impossible for her to understand.  For example; they give her condescending grins, they mock her, and simply refuse to give her research a second glance as if it is utterly useless. Eventually, Mrs. Dawson, one of the City Hall officials "generously" agrees to "happily look over Lee's results,"  however, upon her telling this to Lee it is noted that she "looked back at Burns, and he nodded and winked" (pg. 90) therefore showing her character to almost be having a "tongue-in-cheek" moment towards Lee and making it seem as though they were agreeing to Lee's demands only as a ploy to make her stop pushing and fighting them. Not only do they mock Lee and undermine her when she talks, but they respond to her in a very aggressive and biting manner.

Based on the information provided regarding Lee's encounters with City Hall, they are most definitely failing at their responsibility to protect the citizens of Friendswood. They refuse to consider any further evidence other then their own shoddy gatherings therefore not being able to truthfully claim that they are doing everything in their power to protect their people. In regards to the EPA, Lee states that they have never returned any of her calls and refuse to process or look at her toxic soil collection therefore failing to do their duties to protect as well. If the City Hall officials truly want to fix their land and make sure that another catastrophic event like this one does not occur again, they must remain more open minded during these town meetings and treat all citizens (whether or not they are disagreeing with them such as Lee is) with respect.