What Is Poverty? | Exercise With Summary | Grade 11 | English
0In "What is Poverty?", Jo Goodwin Parker vividly portrays her struggles with poverty and the challenges her children face. She eloquently delves into the emotional and practical hardships of living in poverty, shedding light on the systemic issues that perpetuate its vicious cycle.
a. What is poverty according to Parker?
According to Parker, poverty is a state of perpetual despair, where the future holds nothing but darkness and hopelessness.
b. How is poverty difficult for Parker’s children? List some specific examples.
Poverty deprives Parker's children of basic necessities and opportunities. They lack adequate clothing, proper nutrition, and access to healthcare. The children are forced to wear tattered clothes and endure the taunts of their peers, leading to feelings of shame and inferiority.
c. How does Parker try to obtain help, and what problems does she encounter?
Parker seeks assistance from various sources, including welfare agencies, educational institutions, and health clinics, but faces numerous obstacles. She encounters bureaucratic hurdles, judgmental attitudes, and a lack of understanding from those who are supposed to help her.
d. Why are people’s opinions and prejudices her greatest obstacles?
People's preconceived notions and biases prevent them from empathizing with Parker's situation. They perceive her as lazy, irresponsible, and unworthy of assistance, perpetuating the stigma associated with poverty.
e. How does Parker defend her inability to get help? How does she discount the usual solutions society has for poverty (e.g., welfare, education, and health clinics)?
Parker argues that the existing societal solutions to poverty, such as welfare, education, and health clinics, are insufficient and often counterproductive. She believes that these programs fail to address the root causes of poverty and merely provide temporary relief, without empowering individuals to break the cycle of poverty.
Reference to the context
a. Explain the following: Poverty is looking into a black future.
Parker uses this metaphor to convey the sense of hopelessness and despair that poverty creates. The "black future" represents the absence of opportunities and the inevitability of a life of struggle and deprivation.
b. What does Parker mean by “The poor are always silent”?
Parker suggests that the poor are often silenced by their circumstances. They are too preoccupied with survival to speak out against their oppression, and their voices are rarely heard or valued in society.
c. What writing strategy does the author use at the beginning of most of the paragraphs? Do you notice a recurring pattern? What is it?
Parker begins most paragraphs with a vivid image or a poignant statement that captures the essence of poverty. This creates a powerful impact and draws the reader's attention to the specific aspect of poverty being discussed in each paragraph.
d. How does Parker develop each paragraph? What details make each paragraph memorable?
Parker develops each paragraph by providing specific examples and anecdotes from her own experiences. She uses vivid language and sensory details to create a visceral sense of the hardships faced by the poor. These personal narratives make each paragraph memorable and emotionally resonant.
e. In the final paragraph, how does the author use questions to involve the reader in the issue of poverty?
In the final paragraph, Parker poses a series of rhetorical questions that challenge the reader to confront their own biases and prejudices towards the poor. These questions are designed to provoke thought and encourage the reader to question the existing societal attitudes and policies towards poverty.
Reference beyond the text
a. Define a social problem (homelessness, unemployment, racism) imitating Parker’s style.
Homelessness: A desolate existence, where the streets become your home, and every night is a battle against the cold and indifference.
b. Using adjectives to highlight the futility of the situation, write a short definition essay on Growing up in Poverty.
Growing up in poverty is a relentless struggle, where dreams are crushed under the weight of endless deprivation, and hope fades away with each passing day.