Poverty, by America Literary Elements

Non-fiction

The setting is primarily the United States.

It is written from a first-person point of view.

The tone is analytical and empathetic. The mood is somber and reflective.

The protagonist is the American people. The antagonist is the systemic issue of poverty.

The major conflict revolves around the societal, economic, and systemic challenges that perpetuate and exacerbate poverty. It includes the struggle against structural inequalities, lack of access to resources, and the limitations imposed by social systems. Additionally, the conflict lies in the discrepancy between the abundance of resources in the country and the prevalence of poverty.

There is no apparent climax in the book. However, the turning point is where the author proposes potential strategies to address poverty.

The early indications about the severity of poverty offer insight into the systemic issues to be further detailed throughout the book.

"My friend Scott was sexually abused as a child. As an adult, he found pills, then fentanyl. He bought peace for $20 at a time."

The statement uses understatement to convey the intense subject of abuse and addiction.

The book alludes to the economic turmoil of the Great Depression and historical elements of the Civil Rights Movement.

The book portrays the distressing and swift nature of eviction in impoverished households. The phrase "Eviction movers, flanked by armed marshals" creates a sense of urgency and the presence of authority. The detailed description of personal belongings being taken away—"shower curtain, mattresses, meat cuts, bread"—paints a stark picture of loss. Moreover, the image of belongings piled high on the curb or locked away in storage conveys the abruptness and finality of losing one's home.

The book highlights the apparent contradiction between a country's immense wealth and its significant levels of poverty.

The author delves into the multi-layered aspects of poverty, including its psychological toll, housing instability, job market challenges, deepening economic disparity, and the struggle for necessities. Each aspect runs parallel contributing to the comprehensive depiction of poverty.

The phrase "the land of the free" is an example of metonymy. It represents the United States as a whole associating the nation with its fundamental ideals of freedom and liberty.

The author personifies poverty as an entity with human qualities.