Summary Of Change Me Into Zeus's Daughter
Barbara Robinette Moss's “Change Me into Zeus's Daughter” shows how growing up poverty-stricken in the south in America impacts the quality of life a person could have. Many people are familiar with the popular phrase “living the American dream,” which is equivalent with “better” quality of life, but one can't live that dream if they are living in a world of poverty that impacts their mentality, well-being (health), and social interactions. Many Americans are poverty-stricken and underprivileged; it is for this very reason that people will not receive help when it is presented as Moss explains: “Dad forbade acceptance of charity. 'I can take care of my family, by God!' he would shout when a church tried to give us a food basket...”(181). Consequently, this is a result of pride and not wanting to be a “charity case” and when people have this mentality, it leads to issues in health.
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As a child, Barbara developed many health problems and deformities as a result of malnutrition and complete lack of medical and dental care.
For example, When Barbara visits the dentist at 15, she discovers that she suffers from a gum disease called pyorrhea and the dentist thinks that it may be linked to malnutrition as he examines her saying, “Pyorrhea...Gum disease at fifteen...The upper portion of her face has grown too long...I can't imagine what caused such a thing...Malnutrition, maybe” (222)? Suffering from a disease like this that yields both physical and health-related conditions often leads to bullying in social
interactions. In America, bullying is a serious issue, especially for impoverished children, the are over 160,000 children in America alone that don't go to school every day because they're afraid of being bullied; Being an impoverished child, Barbara was bullied as well saying,
“Some of the boys, mostly the school athletes, tortured me at every opportunity during the day...They pointed out each of my flaws as if I'd never looked in the mirror...” (212). Typically in this situation, children can be extremely cruel ostracizing others because they're different which affects the way they all interact socially, whether good or bad. In conclusion, the 'American dream' represents a rich, full, and healthy life for everyone regardless of class, status, or circumstance. These conditions are anything but that, which shows how poverty can affect all those the way people think, their well-being, and the way they interact socially.
As a child, Barbara developed many health problems and deformities as a result of malnutrition and complete lack of medical and dental care.
For example, When Barbara visits the dentist at 15, she discovers that she suffers from a gum disease called pyorrhea and the dentist thinks that it may be linked to malnutrition as he examines her saying, “Pyorrhea...Gum disease at fifteen...The upper portion of her face has grown too long...I can't imagine what caused such a thing...Malnutrition, maybe” (222)? Suffering from a disease like this that yields both physical and health-related conditions often leads to bullying in social
interactions. In America, bullying is a serious issue, especially for impoverished children, the are over 160,000 children in America alone that don't go to school every day because they're afraid of being bullied; Being an impoverished child, Barbara was bullied as well saying,
“Some of the boys, mostly the school athletes, tortured me at every opportunity during the day...They pointed out each of my flaws as if I'd never looked in the mirror...” (212). Typically in this situation, children can be extremely cruel ostracizing others because they're different which affects the way they all interact socially, whether good or bad. In conclusion, the 'American dream' represents a rich, full, and healthy life for everyone regardless of class, status, or circumstance. These conditions are anything but that, which shows how poverty can affect all those the way people think, their well-being, and the way they interact socially.