NEB class 11 4th essay What is Poverty? By Jo Goodwin Parker

  4^th essay

                                                What is Poverty?

     By Jo Goodwin Parker

"What is Poverty?" is a powerful essay written by Jo Goodwin Parker, in which the author reflects on her personal experiences with poverty. Parker, through vivid and emotional language, describes the harsh realities of living in poverty, making it more than just an abstract concept. The essay draws attention to the human cost of poverty and challenges common misconceptions about poor people.

About essayist

Jo Goodwin Parker is a writer who uses her personal experience to shed light on the struggles of living in poverty. She is an advocate for the poor, aiming to bring awareness to the systemic issues and human suffering associated with poverty. Through this essay, Parker draws on her lived experience to portray poverty not just as a lack of money, but as a multifaceted condition affecting nearly every aspect of life.

Themes

1. The Reality of Poverty: Parker emphasizes the physical, emotional, and mental toll that poverty takes on individuals and families. She vividly describes the struggles of hunger, the inability to provide for children, and the lack of basic necessities.

2. Misconceptions about Poverty: The essay addresses how society often misunderstands poverty, reducing it to a lack of financial resources rather than acknowledging the broader social, psychological, and physical impacts.

3. Human Dignity and Compassion: Parker argues that people living in poverty are often dehumanized and stripped of their dignity. The essay urges readers to see the poor as individuals with their own needs, desires, and struggles, deserving of empathy and respect.

4. Social Inequality: Through her personal narrative, Parker highlights the systemic inequalities that perpetuate poverty, showing that it is not just the result of individual failure but a product of social structures that leave people in need.

Summary in short

In What is Poverty?, Jo Goodwin Parker shares her personal experience of living in deep poverty. She explains that poverty is not just about having no money, but about daily suffering, hunger, and hopelessness. She describes how it feels to struggle every day for food, health, and care for her children.

Parker says poverty is not caused by laziness, but by unfair systems that keep people trapped. She also talks about how poor people are judged and treated as if they don’t matter.

In the end, she asks people to understand the pain of poverty and to care about those who live in it. She wants society to show compassion and work for change to help everyone live with dignity.

Summary in detail

In "What is Poverty?" Jo Goodwin Parker offers a deeply personal and vivid account of the harsh realities of living in poverty. Through her essay, Parker describes poverty not merely as a financial condition but as a relentless and consuming way of life. She paints pictures of the daily struggles faced by those in poverty, from the constant fight to secure enough food to the mental and physical exhaustion that comes from never having enough. Parker shares the emotional toll of being unable to provide for her children and the isolation that poverty creates, where people are often made to feel invisible and worthless.

Parker challenges common misconceptions about poverty, emphasizing that it is not a result of laziness or lack of effort. She describes how poverty is a systemic issue, where individuals and families are trapped in a cycle of hardship that is difficult to escape. For her, poverty is not just a financial condition; it encompasses the inability to access basic needs like food, clothing, shelter, and education. She also speaks of the societal judgment that poor people face, which compounds their struggles, making them feel stigmatized and dehumanized.

Ultimately, Parker calls for a shift in perspective, urging readers to recognize the humanity of those living in poverty and to consider the larger social structures that perpetuate inequality. She argues that poverty is not just an individual failure but a societal problem that requires compassion, understanding, and systemic change. By sharing her experiences and calling attention to the broader implications of poverty, Parker challenges the reader to see beyond stereotypes and to advocate for a world that values the dignity and well-being of all people.

Understanding the text

Answer the following questions.

a. What is poverty according to Parker?

According to Jo Goodwin Parker, poverty is much more than a lack of financial resources; it is a profound and all-encompassing condition that affects every aspect of life. Parker describes poverty as a relentless struggle for survival, where basic needs like food, shelter, and warmth are often unattainable. It strips individuals of their dignity, making them feel invisible and dehumanized. Poverty, in Parker’s view, is not caused by laziness or personal failure but by systemic inequalities and societal structures that trap people in a cycle of hardship. It is a condition that consumes both physically and emotionally, leaving those who experience it with little opportunity for improvement or escape.

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

Poverty is difficult for Parker's children in several ways, as it affects their basic needs and emotional well-being. Some specific examples from the essay include:

1.      Lack of Proper Food: Parker describes how her children often had to go without enough food, sometimes eating things that were not nutritious or sufficient to keep them healthy. This left her children hungry and in poor health, as she struggled to provide them with the basics.

2.      Inability to Provide for Their Needs: Parker talks about the overwhelming feeling of not being able to provide her children with what they needed, like clothes or other necessities. The constant worry about meeting their basic needs caused emotional strain.

3.      Social Stigma and Isolation: Parker reflects on the shame her children experienced because of their poverty, as they were often judged by others for not having what wealthier children had. This social stigma created feelings of exclusion and embarrassment, leading to emotional distress.

4.      Health Concerns: Parker mentions that the lack of proper healthcare meant her children often went without treatment for illnesses, which made their physical well-being vulnerable. They had to endure sickness without access to the proper medical attention.

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

In "What is Poverty?" Jo Goodwin Parker tries to obtain help by reaching out to social services and welfare programs, but she faces numerous obstacles that prevent her from receiving the support she desperately needs. One of the main problems she encounters is the bureaucratic red tape associated with these programs. The application processes are complex and often demeaning, forcing her to navigate through a series of impersonal procedures that do not address her immediate needs. She also mentions the judgmental attitudes she faces when seeking help, where social workers and others often treat her as if she is to blame for her poverty, making the experience humiliating and emotionally exhausting.

Furthermore, Parker highlights the insufficient assistance she receives, which is not enough to meet her family’s basic needs. The help offered is often minimal, and the focus is on short-term solutions rather than addressing the underlying issues of poverty. She also notes that her attempts to seek help often lead to feelings of shame and frustration, as she is made to feel like a failure for needing assistance, reinforcing the stigma surrounding poverty. Despite her efforts to obtain help, the systemic barriers and judgment she faces only add to her difficulties, making it harder for her to escape her impoverished situation.

d. Why are people’s opinions and prejudices her greatest obstacles?

In "What is Poverty?", Jo Goodwin Parker argues that people's opinions and prejudices are her greatest obstacles because they not only exacerbate her poverty but also dehumanize her and others in similar situations. These prejudices create a societal stigma that poor people are lazy, irresponsible, or undeserving, which makes it harder for them to receive the help and compassion they need. Parker describes how, when she seeks assistance from welfare programs or interacts with others, she often encounters judgment and condescension, as if her poverty is a personal failing rather than a result of systemic inequalities.

This judgment leads to emotional distress and shame, preventing her from accessing the support that could help her and her children. The prejudices surrounding poverty make it difficult for her to maintain her dignity and ask for help without feeling humiliated. Additionally, societal opinions about poverty often overshadow the real struggles faced by those living in it, reducing their experiences to stereotypes and ignoring the deeper issues at play, such as lack of opportunity, systemic injustice, and the emotional toll of poverty. These prejudices thus become an invisible but powerful barrier, trapping individuals like Parker in their circumstances and hindering their ability to break free from 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)?

In "What is Poverty?", Jo Goodwin Parker defends her inability to get help by highlighting the ineffectiveness and humiliation of the usual societal solutions to poverty, such as welfare, education, and health clinics. She argues that these systems are not designed to truly help people escape poverty but rather to maintain the status quo.

Parker discounts welfare by pointing out that the assistance provided is often insufficient and demeaning. The process of applying for help is filled with bureaucratic hurdles, and the aid received is too minimal to cover even the most basic needs. She emphasizes how this system forces her to endure embarrassment and humiliation while offering little in terms of long-term solutions. Welfare does not provide the opportunities or resources needed for someone to break out of poverty; it merely offers temporary relief.

Regarding education, Parker critiques the belief that access to education can lift people out of poverty. She argues that for many living in poverty, education is not easily accessible or practical when basic survival is the priority. Even when education is available, it does not always lead to well-paying jobs or offer a real escape from poverty, especially when systemic barriers like discrimination and lack of resources persist.

Parker also discounts the effectiveness of health clinics, noting that even though healthcare is essential, many people living in poverty cannot afford the costs associated with getting medical help or dealing with health issues. Clinics may be available, but the quality of care is often subpar, and the underlying issues of poverty—such as poor nutrition and inadequate housing—are never fully addressed.

In all these ways, Parker argues that society's usual solutions to poverty are insufficient and do not tackle the root causes of the problem. Instead of offering meaningful change, they maintain a cycle of dependence and prevent individuals from escaping their difficult circumstances.

Reference to the context

a. Explain the following: Poverty is looking into a black future.

In "What is Poverty?", the phrase "Poverty is looking into a black future" is a metaphor used by Jo Goodwin Parker to convey the hopelessness and despair that accompany living in poverty. The word "black" in this context symbolizes darkness, uncertainty, and a lack of vision or opportunity. For someone living in poverty, the future appears bleak, with little to no possibility of improvement. The metaphor suggests that when you are trapped in poverty, your outlook on the future is clouded by fear, insecurity, and the overwhelming feeling that there are no opportunities for change or progress. This reflects the emotional and psychological toll poverty has, making the future seem uncertain and filled with challenges, where escape or upward mobility seems almost impossible.

b. What does Parker mean by “The poor are always silent”?

In "What is Poverty?", when Jo Goodwin Parker says, "The poor are always silent," she is highlighting the societal tendency to ignore or dismiss the voices of poor people. The poor, according to Parker, are often unheard because they are marginalized, and their struggles are minimized or overlooked. The silence is not a choice, but a result of the stigma and shame associated with poverty. People living in poverty are often made to feel as though they have no right to speak out about their difficulties, or their concerns are seen as unimportant or undeserving of attention.

Parker also implies that this silence is reinforced by systemic barriers, such as the lack of access to platforms where the poor can voice their experiences or advocate for change. In this way, the silence becomes a form of oppression, where the poor are silenced both by their circumstances and by societal prejudices, leaving their pain and struggles largely unheard by those who may have the power to help.

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?

At the beginning of most of the paragraphs in "What is Poverty?", Jo Goodwin Parker uses a repetition strategy, where she often begins with phrases like "Poverty is..." or "It is..." This creates a repetitive, rhythmic structure throughout the essay, emphasizing the various aspects of poverty and its overwhelming, all-encompassing nature. Each new paragraph builds upon the last, presenting different facets of poverty, such as hunger, shame, and dehumanization, while maintaining a consistent pattern that reinforces the main theme.

This recurring pattern of beginning with simple, declarative sentences allows Parker to stress the severity of the conditions she describes, giving the essay a sense of urgency and emotional weight. It also helps create a uniform tone, making the narrative feel relentless and unyielding, much like the experience of living in poverty. By repeating this structure, Parker emphasizes that poverty touches every aspect of life and cannot be easily dismissed or overlooked.

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

Jo Goodwin Parker develops each paragraph in "What is Poverty?" by using a combination of sensory details, personal anecdotes, and emotional appeal. At the start of each paragraph, Parker often presents a direct statement about what poverty is, which is then followed by specific details that evoke strong imagery. For example, when describing hunger, she uses vivid sensory language, explaining how hunger feels physically—"it is the ache in the stomach that never goes away." These descriptions create a tangible sense of discomfort and make the reader almost feel the physical toll of living in poverty. The use of sensory details makes each paragraph memorable by engaging the reader's senses, allowing them to empathize with the struggle.

Parker also weaves personal anecdotes throughout the essay, grounding her descriptions of poverty in real-life experiences. She speaks about her own children, describing the pain of not being able to provide for them in simple ways, like buying them clothes or enough food. These stories make her experience more relatable and humanize the broader issue of poverty. For instance, she talks about her children feeling ashamed of not having what other children possess, which adds a personal, emotional element that makes the reader reflect on the societal effects of poverty, especially on the young and vulnerable.

Lastly, Parker’s use of emotional appeal deepens the impact of each paragraph. She describes the humiliation and helplessness that come with seeking help from welfare or social services, where the poor are often treated with disdain. Her reflections on feeling invisible or less than human because of poverty evoke strong emotions in the reader, prompting them to think critically about the societal attitudes toward the poor. These emotional and personal elements, combined with vivid descriptions, make each paragraph memorable and contribute to the overall powerful impact of the essay.

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

In the final paragraph of "What is Poverty?", Jo Goodwin Parker uses rhetorical questions to directly engage the reader and prompt them to reflect on the issue of poverty. By asking questions like, "What are you doing for the poor?" or "What are you going to do about it?", Parker shifts the focus from her own experience to the reader’s responsibility in addressing poverty. These questions are not meant to be answered immediately but instead serve to provoke self-reflection and personal accountability. They make the reader consider their own role in perpetuating or alleviating poverty, forcing them to confront their own biases or indifference.

The questions are designed to challenge the reader's comfort and compel them to take a stance. By posing them in the context of her essay, Parker invites readers to examine their attitudes toward the poor and think critically about the broader social issues that contribute to poverty. The use of questions makes the issue feel more urgent and personal, emphasizing that the reader’s involvement is essential in making a meaningful change. This strategy effectively draws the reader into the conversation, making them feel a sense of responsibility to engage with the issue of poverty and work toward solutions.

Reference beyond the text

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

A Social Problem: Unemployment

Unemployment is the gnawing emptiness of a wallet that no longer carries the weight of hope. It is waking up each day with nowhere to go, no purpose to fulfill, and nothing but the constant ache of uncertainty. It is the endless searching, the knocking on doors that never open, the rejection letters that pile up like debris. Unemployment is a slow drain of self-worth, the feeling of being invisible to society, reduced to a number in a statistic, ignored and overlooked by the very world you once contributed to. It is a cycle of waiting, where days stretch into weeks, and weeks into months, each passing moment reminding you that you are not enough.

Unemployment is not just the absence of a paycheck; it is the absence of dignity. It is a quiet desperation in the eyes of those who struggle to explain their situation to loved ones, to friends, to anyone who still asks, "How are you?" It is the stigma that follows you when people assume that you’re lazy, unqualified, or unworthy of work, without ever understanding the real, grinding hardship of looking for a job day after day. Unemployment becomes a shackle that ties you to your fears, forcing you to fight against the crushing weight of judgment and hopelessness.

Unemployment is a silent epidemic, one that many pretend doesn’t exist or assume will never touch them. But it is there, lurking in every corner, in every empty desk, in every closed door. It is the reality of too many people who find themselves pushed aside, discarded, and forgotten by a system that promises opportunity but delivers only exclusion. It is the need for work, for respect, for the basic human right to contribute, to belong, to live with purpose. It is not just a personal struggle; it is a societal failure, and it affects us all.

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

Growing Up in Poverty

Growing up in poverty is a constant, suffocating struggle against an unyielding tide of hardship. It is a life filled with insufficient resources, unrelenting challenges, and a sense of hopeless limitation that follows you through each passing day. The perpetual hunger for more—more food, more love, more opportunities—lingers at the edge of every moment, but remains out of reach, like a distant dream. Children raised in poverty often experience grueling emotional strain, their worth defined not by their potential, but by their circumstances.

It is a life marked by invisible barriers that prevent you from accessing basic needs like quality education, proper healthcare, and a stable home. The fear of uncertain tomorrows casts a long shadow over everything, leaving children with little to hold on to but the fleeting hope that things might improve. The disheartening reality of living paycheck to paycheck, or not knowing where your next meal will come from, is an exhausting burden that creates unshakable stress and emotional scars. Dreams feel futile when there are so many more pressing needs, like surviving the day or keeping the lights on.

Growing up in poverty is also a cycle that is difficult to break. Each generation faces the same unfortunate circumstances, with few opportunities to escape the grinding wheel of deprivation. Judgmental societal attitudes only deepen the sense of worthlessness, leaving children to grow up feeling small and unimportant. The constant struggle to survive in a world that seems to ignore their existence makes it hard to envision a future free from poverty. For many, growing up in poverty is not just a financial condition, but a lifelong emotional and psychological battle against insurmountable odds.