ask mattrab

25 English -- What is Poverty?

Using adjectives to highlight the futility of the situation, write a short definition essay on Growing up in Poverty.

Using adjectives to highlight the futility of the situation, write a short definition essay on Growing up in Poverty.

1 Answers

342 Views

Growing up in Poverty


Poverty is the world at its worst. One does not entertain being deprived of basic needs on a daily basis. Growing up in poverty is dying many times while still breathing.


Poverty or the inability to meet even the basic necessities of life aims to erode the very right of a person to live life with dignity. Where basic needs like the next meal, a shelter over one's head, clothes to provide cover are not met, being able to provide for education, recreation or medical facilities is unheard of.


It is not hard to imagine how this life of hopelessness would affect the weak young minds, bodies and hearts. Being exposed to such material deprivation increases the chances of undergoing abuse of all kinds from a tender age. Child labour, child exploitation, street violence, domestic ill-treatment, bullying, sexual abuse are the cruel receptions they face from their early years. No wonder then violence becomes a norm in their way of life and it is a constant struggle to either fight back or give up in such an environment.

More questions on What is Poverty?

What is poverty according to Parker?

According to Parker, poverty is getting up every morning from a dirt and ill-stained mattress,being dirt and tired. Moreover, poverty is asking for help, remembering and looking into a black future.

How is poverty difficult for Parker's children? List some specific examples.

Poverty is the state of being financially weak. Here, due to lack of finance Parker couldn't provide necessary things needed for her children. For example: she even couldn't buy diaper for her child,couldn't manage food for them as well as she wasn't able to send her children to school. Ultimately, this shows that poverty is difficult for Parker's children.

How does Parker try to obtain help, and what problems does she encounter?

Parker went to different institutions and clubs asking for help but she encounteres many difficulties, everytime people used to make fun of her instead of helping.

Why are people's opinions and prejudices her greatest obstacles?

Parker was totally helpless, she had her three children who really need care. Whenever she went to ask help with people, everytime she need to repeat her story and at last that person would send her for others help. That's why people's opinions and prejudices are her greatest obstacles.

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 declares that she is not able to obtain the aids that are on offer. Accordingly, the government's help package (seventy-eight dollars a month) is too slim. Schools provide free education, but they don't pay for stationery. They have got lunch programs too, but her infants are so fragile that they won't be able to make it to school at all. Likewise, health clinics are far off in the towns; she can't afford to take her children there.

Poverty is looking into a black future.  Explain.

The above given line is extracted from a modern western essay entitled "What is Poverty?", by an American essayist, Jo Goodwin Parker. Using examples drawn from her own personal experience, the author explains the meaning of poverty in this essay. In this extract, she focuses on a particular aspect of poverty.


With the view of her current situation, Parker sees a dark future for her children. Accordingly, they will not find good friends, thanks to their inborn curse of poverty. Instead, they...

What does Parker mean by "The poor are always silent"?

According to Parker, the poor people are always silent. They have no voice because it is suppressed by the upper and middle classes. Moreover, others don't like the poor raising a voice. Instead of kindness and sympathy, they come up with anger. The writer is a bit ironical in this statement. She means to say that the voice of the poor has no meaning at all since it won't be beant or addressed by the listeners

What writing strategy does the author use at the beginning of the most of the paragraphs? Do you notice a recurring pattern? What is it?

Parker begins most of her paragraphs with "Poverty is". To be specific, paragraphs of the present essay commence with the same phrase. Another recurring pattern that you say to me which is used twice consecutively.

How does Parker develop each paragraph? What details make each paragraph memorable?

Parker develops each paragraph with a clear topic sentence. Later, she presents the details that support the respective topic sentences. Explicit graphic details, emphasized by personal appeal, make each paragraph memorable.

In the final paragraph, how does the author use questions to involve the reader in the issue of poverty?

In the final paragraph Parker and a very weighty question so the readers: "Can you be silent too? The writer seems depressed with the torturous words of her privileged audience. She indicates that her addressees are not much concerned about the plight of the poor. She does not entertain actionless words.

Proverty is looking into a black future, Explain?

The above given line is extracted from a modern western essay entitled "What is Poverty?", by an American essayist, Jo Goodwin Parker. Using examples drawn from her own personal experience, the author explains the meaning of poverty in this essay. In this extract, she focuses on a particular aspect of poverty.


With the view of her current situation, Parker sees a dark future for her children. Accordingly, they will not find good friends, thanks to their inborn curse of poverty. Instead, they...

Poverty is looking into a black future.


The above given line is extracted from a modern western essay entitled "What is Poverty?", by an American essayist, Jo Goodwin Parker. Using examples drawn from her own personal experience, the author explains the meaning of poverty in this essay. In this extract, she focuses on a particular aspect of poverty.


With the view of her current situation, Parker sees a dark future for her children. Accordingly, they will not find good friends, thanks to their inborn curse of poverty. Instead, they...

What does Parker mean by "The poor are always silent?

According to Parker, the poor people are always silent. They have no voice because it is suppressed by the upper and middle classes. Moreover, others don't like the poor raising a voice. Instead of kindness and sympathy, they come up with anger. The writer is a bit ironical in this statement. She means to say that the voice of the poor has no meaning at all since it won't be beant or addressed by the listeners

Define a social problem (homelessness, unemployment, racism) imitating Parker's style.

Homelessness

You ask me what is homelessness? Listen to me. Here I am, dirty, smelly, and with no "proper" cloth on and with the stench of my rotting teeth near you. I will tell you. Listen to me. Listen without pity. I cannot use your pity. Listen with understanding. Put yourself in my dirty, worn out, ill-fitting shoes, and hear me.


Homelessness is getting up every morning on the lane of a cold street. It is being chased away from the temples and parking garages. It is a shame. It is...

Close Open App