Essay Questions

What is the irony of electrification? - “Poverty”

Electrification magnifies poverty instead of waning it: “We, installed it, turned on the light, and - Holy Moses! - there’s dirt and decay everywhere.” The electricity makes all the other poverty that was not visible previously to be perceptible. Prior to the installation, the narrator and the counterparts supposed that electrification would condense their poverty, but it makes them poorer ultimately.

What binary does “ Poverty” apply?

Light versus Darkness: Elizabeth Ignatevna confesses, ““Everything looks so wretched in the light. What,” she said, “should I shine a light on such poverty for? It only makes the bedbugs laugh.” The electrification characterizes the light that completely reveals on the characters’ living conditions. Previously, the non-existent electrification had obscured the character’s dearth. Accordingly, the electrification is emblematic of consciousness regarding one’s scarceness whereas darkness epitomizes unconsciousness of one’s insufficiency.

How does “The Galosh” explore the topic of Poverty?

The proprietor of the galosh is underprivileged based on the extraordinary value that he ascribes to a galosh that would be written off as an immaterial commodity not worth a whole week’s follow-ups. The narrator affirms, “The thing is the galosh is practically new. I’ve only been wearing it three years.” Logically, three years is a long duration that would permit the unqualified depreciation of the galosh. The galosh is tattered but still the use derives some worth from it. It the narrator were affluent, he would have straightforwardly substituted the galosh.