Poverty Is a State of Mind

864 Words4 Pages
Poverty is a state of mind In the last 150 years, poverty has become a more relevant issue than ever before. All over the world, millions of people are incredibly poor and the proletariat is continuously growing greater in size. Some are poor by virtue of their lifestyle and others are born poor and stay that way for the rest of their lives without ever seizing the opportunity of escape if such is present. The United States of America claim to be the land of prospects with feasible opportunities of prosperity for everyone as part of their general consensus of the American Dream, yet the inequality between the lower class and the bourgeoisie is immense contrary to popular belief. Broadcasted in 2012 on BBC Radio, “Poverty is a state of mind”, a personal essay by Bernard Hale, portrays the nature of poverty and his own experience with poverty throughout his life. Through the use of humour, interesting storytelling but primarily argumentation by personal experience, Hale clearly states that the difference between rich and poor is nothing but a mindset in an effort to explain one of the most profound issues of present time. “Poverty is a state of mind” is a product of creative non-fiction as this is a personal essay with the traits and characteristics of a short story, however, Bale's essay is based on the truth. Structured like a short story, Bale's essay commences in his childhood as he shares the story of his upbringing in a poor household in Leeds, UK. As he grows into an independent man free from the burdens of poverty, he realizes what poverty actually means. “I was becoming aware that there might be a self-inflicted element to some people's poverty”. This quote goes to show how Bale pondered upon what came to be his conclusion as a young man. It also shows how Bale has become aware of his own social heritage. As the essay progresses accordingly to him getting

More about Poverty Is a State of Mind

Open Document