Essay Questions

Why are some people suspicious of Anna and her claims?

Anna claims to survive without eating food. This is very hard for people to believe, because we know that a person can only survive for a finite amount of time without nutritional sustenance. Most people cannot imagine even trying to live without eating anything, and so they are immediately suspicious of anyone who claims to be able to do so. Anna's claims fly in the face of human knowledge--or at least, what we believe knowledge to be. People do not accept what they do not understand very easily and for that reason she and her claims are considered suspicious.

Why do Anna's parents insist that she can live without food?

Anna's parents are motivated by money, and the more successful their fraudulent scheme becomes, the more committed they become to it. Their claims are for the sole purpose of receiving donations from the public, and from people who are concerned for Anna's well-being. They also receive donations from people who believe that Anna is a spiritual or holy phenomenon and see donating to her and her family to be somewhat like donating to a church. Their donations are a gift to the Almighty.

Why do some people want to believe Anna?

To believers, the idea of a living example of a miracle is extremely attractive. The people who believe Anna believe that she is a manifestation of proof of God's work, and that she represents something holy and pure. The fact that living without food is scientifically impossible makes believing Anna all the more tempting because by definition miracles are a manifestation of the impossible. People also know that miracles have occurred. For example, most people know someone who has survived several years after being told by medical professionals that they have only months to live. These are examples of scientific or medical fact being contradicted by something greater, most often, by faith. That is why it is quite easy for people to believe that Anna is telling the truth.