Nothing says wrong side of the tracks quite like your neighbors having yards full of non-working cars. That's the landscape of Deanna's life in Story of a Girl, and it's pretty bleak. If her parents were educated white-collar types, Deanna might have gotten the right kind of attention after the Tommy incident—or at least some therapy. But poverty means making money is the name of the game for Deanna's parents—and this leaves her insufficiently supported emotionally and with a limited understanding of what she can hope for in life.
Questions About Poverty
- Why does Deanna seem to rule out going to college, both for herself and for Jason?
- Deanna mentions her family's green shag carpet several times. What is it about the carpet that particularly represents poverty to her?
- Does the fact that Deanna's mom works in a discount store like Mervyns make you feel more sorry for her than you would if she worked retail at Nordstrom's?
Chew on This
Deanna's self-esteem takes a further hit when she goes to the mall and Jason and Lee give her money. Not having money makes her feel even more like a third wheel in their presence.
When it's time to get a job, Deanna goes straight for the seediest pizza place in town—even when she's working toward her dreams, this girl is governed by low self-esteem. More than being cash poor, Deanna is emotionally poor.