Introduction
The book Finding Me by Viola Davis is a valid, heartfelt account of poverty and how it affects a person’s life. The author, unvarnished, describes the horrible things people in this position face every day and why it is difficult for them to get out of the vicious cycle. Her work exemplifies how the victim found strength and was willing to fight to the end just to have a chance for a promising future.
Portrayal of Poverty
Living Conditions
The literary work effectively portrays the stark actuality of destitution inside a particular locale, namely the Central Falls, Rhode Island community. The literary piece provides the reader with a comprehensive portrayal of the challenging circumstances in which the protagonist Viola and her family reside, effectively depicting their everyday trials and tribulations. The Davis family frequently lacks fundamental necessities, including access to hot water, gas, power, and a functional toilet.
Individuals endure significant discomfort due to suboptimal temperatures and the lack of access to bathing facilities or functioning toilets. The portrayal of apartment 128 Washington Street is somber (Davis, 2023). The presence of unstable electrical wiring, frequent occurrences of fires, infestations of rats, and inadequate provision of basic sanitary facilities together contribute to the creation of living situations that are both hazardous and unhygienic.
Profit Sources
The family’s financial situation can be described as unfortunate or ordinary. People depend on government assistance through food stamps, but even this support is insufficient to meet their basic needs. This problem also exists in modern realities; according to Usborne, poor people whose needs are ignored by the government are less likely to have a way out of such a situation (2018). The protagonist’s parents often enlist the financial help of a kind local merchant named Gabe Antar, which emphasizes their dire financial situation. Despite their limited means, the family members show great ingenuity.
For example, Viola’s mother, May, uses strategies to maximize limited financial resources, even resorting to borrowing when necessary. This demonstrates their ability to persevere despite difficulties common to impoverished young people (Rosenheck, 2023). The presence of poverty has a significant impact on children’s educational outcomes. Viola and her siblings face problems such as bedwetting at night as a result of inadequate access to appropriate facilities. Diana’s willingness to continue her education despite initial obstacles demonstrates the family’s desire to use education to change their situation, which is one of the best ways out of the problem. (Davis, 2023).
Furthermore, amidst all the difficulties faced, the benevolence shown by people in the community, particularly Gabe Antar and Mrs. Prosser, the local school’s principal, serves as a beacon of optimism. Such actions from others positively impact people living in poverty and encourage them to break out of the cycle (Snow-Hill, 2019). In today’s reality, part of the organization is trying to change the opinion of others about people without housing by agitating the idea that they are the same people who are just in trouble (Snow-Hill, 2019). The impact of these people on people without accommodation is vast, demonstrating the importance of community involvement in the fight against poverty.
Psychological Consequences
The reader is struck by the disturbing manifestation of poverty, characterized by widespread violence and adverse living conditions. The constant exposure to difficult conditions is detrimental to the psychological and emotional well-being of the family (Davis, 2023). Lifestyle changes and financial well-being can be achieved through vouchers.
In the work of Yoshikawa et al., control groups were given certain conditions on where and how to spend them, and the results showed a reduction in psychological distress in children and adults (2012). Viola’s emotional experiences of humiliation, embarrassment, fear, and trauma highlight the profound psychological consequences associated with poverty that others often face (U.S. Department of Justice, 2023). Contemporaries address such problems through the creation of support programs for the homeless and poor that focus on the diagnosis and treatment of mental health disorders (Rosenheck, 2023).
Family Relationships
Another illustration of the causes and consequences of poverty is a married couple. Viola’s father is an alcoholic and abusive family member, while her mother does nothing but instruct her daughter on how to protect herself and gives her spokes as weapons. It has been proven that most low-income families have parents who are addicted to alcohol or drugs (Usborne, 2018). This information can be helpful in social services, who can take preventive measures to avoid alarming developments.
The fact that the heroine’s siblings have to deal with the situation together gives her reason for optimism. Viola finds solace and inspiration in her education and strives to excel in her studies for a bright future. Nevertheless, even in this setting, the effects of her poverty are evident: she struggles with feelings of humiliation and inferiority compared to the other students in the class. A moment when she watches actress Cecily Tyson perform on television becomes the source of her optimism, enabling her to escape a bad situation. (Davis, 2023).
Eventually, she would become strengthened in her conviction that this was the best path. Viola’s dedication to her studies and acting has evolved into her avoidance techniques. According to research, learning and engaging in rewarding activities can give chances and opportunities for a low-income person to move out of poverty (Snow-Hill, 2019). She participates in activities such as Upward Bound Arts Recognition and Talent Search that allow her to be recognized for her abilities.
The character’s relationship with David, her first lover, and her decision to get an abortion as a result of her inability to provide for a child are both egregious and heartless manifestations of the harsh effects of poverty. Her mental and physical health will suffer as a result of the challenging action that she is required to perform, which will also have an impact on her emotional condition (Usborne, 2018). Viola has achieved a lot professionally but still wishes to have a more satisfying personal life.
Long-Term Mental Influences
It is also crucial to note that even after attaining big success and receiving admiration, financial security, and renown, the heroine continues to suffer similarly. This is something that must be taken into consideration. Because of poverty and the detrimental effects it had on her life, the protagonist suffered severe psychological trauma, has trouble trusting others, and, most significantly, the character still struggles with feeling whole. This condition can be called mental poverty and the consequences of disturbed self-esteem and anxiety (Yoshikawa et al., 2012). The character’s goal is to locate a house where all of the family members are liked and where they may have a fulfilling and healthy life. She reveals a shift in her priorities beyond her professional successes by expressing her need for a serene home filled with affection for her family.
Conclusion
In conclusion, amidst economic adversity, the protagonist’s resolute determination and commitment to education symbolize hope. The altruism of community members such as Gabe Antar and Mrs. Prosser underscores the crucial role of communal assistance in mitigating the hardships caused by poverty. The narrative also depicts the extensive effects of poverty, including domestic violence and emotional trauma. Viola’s journey, characterized by determination and pursuit of artistic excellence, spans from poverty to professional success.
References
Davis, V. (2023). Finding me. Hodder Paperbacks.
Rosenheck, R. (2023). Service models for assisting homeless people with mental health problems: Cost-Effectiveness and policy relevance. PennState Social Science Research Institute. Web.
Snow-Hill, N. (2019). The survey of attitudes toward homeless people: The validation of a new instrument assessing negative attitudes toward homeless people. Theses and Dissertations, 1–164. Web.
U.S. Department of Justice. (2023). Police-Mental health collaboration (PMHC) toolkit. Bureau of Justice Assistance. Web.
Usborne, W. (2018). Public attitudes and perceptions towards homelessness understanding public attitudes and perceptions towards homelessness: A requisite frontier to reduce homelessness (pp. 1–78). Core. Web.
Yoshikawa, H., Aber, J. L., & Beardslee, W. R. (2012). The effects of poverty on the mental, emotional, and behavioral health of children and youth: Implications for prevention. American Psychologist, 67(4), 272–284. Web.
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