What Is Poverty

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Review Essay “What is Poverty” Jo Goodwin Parker’s article “What is Poverty?” summarizes her ideas of the true definition of poverty. The article is harsh and direct and makes the reader feel uncomfortable while reading it. Parker’s stern and caustic tone throughout the article shows her anger; she’s throwing her anger to the reader. Though her ethical and logical appeals are extremely weak, her emotional appeal is excessively strong. Parker directs this article at the reader and attacks the reader’s emotions through her harsh tone, graphic content, and lack of rhetorical appeal. The message that the writer is trying to show is told through the caustic comments and creative hints throughout her essay. If we look past the wall of emotion that she throws on the reader, she tries to explain the true meaning of poverty so that her audience does not feel sympathetic, but relatively understanding. She goes on using literary techniques, and emotions that grab hold of the reader’s heart, which is pathos. After reading Jo Goodwin Parker’s essay, I did not feel a pity but instead I felt respect. She was in an unfortunate situation that forced her into a life not easy to live or deal with. But, with three children to care for, plus herself, she continued on with her life no matter what obstacles kept jumping in her path. I had an idea of what poverty was but after reading Parker’s essay, the ideas I had are shattered into a new realization of the true meaning of poverty. Her definition provides vivid images of what poverty truly means. Parker uses an angry tone, imagery, and repetition to inform readers the dehumanizing effects of poverty. She explains poverty in an angry tone so readers can understand the true meaning of being poor. Parker is capable of causing the reader to feel many emotions, mainly guilt. She makes the reader feel guilty for the possessions we may have.
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