Meridian Poverty Quotes

How we cite our quotes:

Quote #4

"It is against the rules and regulations of this institution to allow you to conduct your funeral inside this chapel, [...] donated to us by one of the finest robber baron families of New York." (1.3.46)

Although Wild Child can't afford to donate any new buildings to the college, that shouldn't matter—everyone deserves to have a decent funeral. In fact, we'd argue that this would be the best use of that robber baron money. The thing that's really upsetting is the fact that the college seems so oblivious about all these things. You'd think that they'd be more interested in giving back to the community, rather than pushing against it.

Quote #5

The people from the community [...] resplendent though they had felt themselves to be on entering Saxon's gate [...] now shrunk down inside their clothes and would not look the students in the eye. (1.3.50)

This scene reflects the internal collapse Civil Rights Movement. At first, students and working-class folks fought on the same side, driven by a sincere desire to see justice. But while students were driven by idealism and anger, poor people simply wanted to be treated with some dignity. They were all too used to being turned away and denied—as they are here—and were much more sensitive to it.

Quote #6

Anne-Marion wanted black to have the same opportunity to make as much money as the richest white people. But Meridian wanted the destruction of the rich as a class. (1.15.7)

Anne-Marion wants everyone to be rich; Meridian wants no one to be rich. Whose side do you take? While Meridian's is a much more difficult goal to attain, her desire to build a community that truly supports itself is quite inspiring, even if it is ultimately impossible. Anne-Marion's desire for wealth and comfort, on the other hand, drives her away from the Movement.