Coursework Essay: Identify two short stories in which an important character is affected

by poverty.

Write an essay in which you explain the experience of each character. In this essay, you must
also show how the person copes with the experience and the difficulties that he or she
experiences in the process. You must also explain what the actions of the character reveal
about the kind of person he or she is.

Total 35 marks (25 marks content, 10 marks language and organisation)

There are various forms of challenges that life may throw at individuals, such as failures,
setbacks, deadlines and facing humanity’s harsh reality. However, both the short stories, Berry
and Man of the House, have been selected for their common protagonist’s way of coping with
poverty. Of equal importance, how the personas cope with their experiences and difficulties and
the actions which the characters take that reveal their true identity.

In summary, Berry is about a young black man called Millberry Jones who is employed at Dr.
Renfield’s Home for Crippled Children. He was reluctantly employed by Mrs. Osborn, the
housekeeper, because she was left without options. Milberry is described as a nice black boy, big,
good natured and strong and als compared to Paul Robeson. Ironically though, he is
uneducated, ‘he was from Georgia, where they don’t have many schools for Negros.’ In addition,
‘Milberry had been hungry for weeks in Newark and Jersey City. He needed work and food.’
This implies he needs money to fulfill these basic things. However, he lacks an education, food
and a home for himself thus confirming the suspicion that he is poverty stricken. Moreover, his
accent was flat, southern and often mispronounced; his words displayed his low rank and file in
society.

On the other hand, Man of the House consists of a small family of two persons with meager
means. The mother is working and the son like any other boy of his age goes to school. He is a
loving son and for the mother her son is as good as gold itself. Her sickness is quite a frightening
experience for the little boy because he worries that if his mother has pneumonia she might
die.In light of this possibility he does everything he can to ensure that nothing happens to her. He
even risks going to a public house (bar) at his age to get whiskey for his mother. We get a
glimpse into Sullivan’s struggles as a young boy growing up in poverty with adult concerns and
his emotional burden. He is aware of what would happen to him if his mother, his only present
parental figure, dies. Subsequently, the next day, he travelled to a Poor Law guardian to obtain a
ticket as proof that they could not afford treatment for his mother. Lastly, the use of Irish dialect
throughout the story indicates their low social class.
Berry was often overworked and underpaid, his salary was also cut due to his race, and he was
worked with no discussions of days off. Nevertheless, he did everything that was asked of him
without complaint. Milberry had learned to solve problems through hard work. He had made a
decision that he was not going to be bothered by other people's prejudices because he had
suffered too much and was not prepared to go hungry again. Strangely enough, Berry took solace
in the crippled children whom he loved and they reciprocated his affection. Unfortunately, an
accident took place where a crippled child fell from his wheelchair but luckily Berry caught him
in time. The wheelchair suffered the brunt force of the fall and the child was unharmed.
Regrettably, Berry was blamed for the accident despite actually being the hero and was thus
immediately fired by his employer.

Sullivan has vivid imaginations and often uses it to escape his reality. He enjoys nature and
appreciates the little details. Sullivan is seen daydreaming on his journey to the dispensary to
fetch cough medicine for his mother which could have been a way to cope with the long journey
he ventured on alone. Things were going well for him and he was acting responsibly. It is only
when he becomes enamoured with the girl that he loses concentration and forgets what his
intentions really are. It is also noticeable that for such a young boy the guilt becomes unbearable
for Flurry. Not only does he feel he has let his mother down but he also feels guilty because he
won’t be able to pay for a candle in the Cathedral.

The fact that Milberry never complains about the position he is put in by the other employees is
important. There is a sense that Milberry due to his skin colour accepts and submits to the role
that he must play in the Home. Thus, deeming him as compliant and amenable. Though he
knows he is being taken advantage of he would prefer to be in employment than not having a job
at all. Milberry is attached to the children in the Home. If anything Milberry is the only one who
feels for them or cares about them. It suggests that Milberry has the ability to connect with the
children but he also is compassionate enough to understand their pain. One could say that the
reason he’s so understanding towards the cripple children is because he was also outcast by
society. Furthermore, he is very observant and intuitive about people and places.

Due to his experiences, Sullivan is mature, rational and helpful. He assumes his role and
responsibilities willingly and is vastly aware of his situation. This act of love on his part is
remarkable because he is a ten year old boy who is taking on a role that is traditionally assigned
to females. Additionally, Sullivan is religious and has faith that his prayers will heal his mother.
Although Sullivan has numerous mature, adult-like qualities, it is worth mentioning he is still
innocent and naive like all children. He is even peer-pressured by a young girl to drink his
mother's medicine even though he understands the great need for it. Afterwards cries to his
mother for forgiveness and begs the Virgin Mary to perform the miracle of healing her.
In conclusion, both Berry and Flurry possess identical traits such as responsibility, compassion,
gentle and loving natures. These short stories were selected for their common protagonist’s way
of coping with poverty. Of equal importance, how the personas cope with their experiences and
difficulties; the actions which the characters take which revealed their true identity.
.