The Ables Vs. The Binges Summary
Amelia Beard
English 106.14
Dr. Mary Libertin
1 February 2015
Summary of “The Ables vs. the Binges”
In “The Ables vs. the Binges” the author, John Verdant, extensively analyzes the effects of consumerism on American society. In his essay, Verdant exposes the way society approaches the market world as consumers. He uses two very different families with similar financial situations to show the negative effects that consumerism has on society and the positive outcomes of effectively abstaining from it (Verdant 152). When comparing the Ables and the Binges he expresses how their differences in consumption and money management set them apart from one another. Verdant glorifies the Ables’ lifestyle choices because they not only benefit themselves, …show more content…
but the community as a whole. They have cautious money-spending habits and steer clear of credit and ATM cards (153). The Binges, on the other hand, live as a materialistic family and Verdant points out that their impulsive spending is unnecessary (157). This reflects the author’s negative feelings towards consumerism and the importance of money management.
The author expresses that the Ables make good relationships with people and support their local community (158).
They do not buy goods from malls or corporate stores, but rather from local farms and markets (154). Their main concerns are simply being healthy. They eat good, quality, home-grown foods, get a lot of rest, spend money on themselves carefully and save money for their children’s educations. They prefer to live simply and spend carefully. The Binges family spends ample time watching television, which makes them an easy target for advertisements. They buy everything new, eat a lot of junk food and drive an expensive gas-guzzling car that pushes them deeper into debt (156). They also do not recycle and produce a huge amount of waste. Verdant says this family “can seek and obtain, immediate short-term satisfaction” (157).
The physical health conditions of both families are also noted in the essay. The Able’s are exceptionally healthy and eat only natural and home-grown food (154). The Binges, however, eat fatty, factory foods because they do not have time to be conscious of what they consume (157). This suggests that consumerism and health are connected, which leads readers to wonder which family will end up saving more
money. Verdant explains these two scenarios and leaves it to the reader to determine which family has more happiness, better quality of life and the ability to successfully avoid an economic catastrophe (158). His intent is to compare two very different ways of life and how each approaches society and the economic system. This essay shows just how simple actions and behaviors can have a significant effect on a person’s life and on those around them.
Word count: 423
Works Cited
Signs of Life in the USA. 2012. The Ables vs. the Binges. By John Verdant. 7th ed.
Boston: Bedford/St. Martin 's, 2012. 152-58. Print.
English 106.14
Dr. Mary Libertin
1 February 2015
Summary of “The Ables vs. the Binges”
In “The Ables vs. the Binges” the author, John Verdant, extensively analyzes the effects of consumerism on American society. In his essay, Verdant exposes the way society approaches the market world as consumers. He uses two very different families with similar financial situations to show the negative effects that consumerism has on society and the positive outcomes of effectively abstaining from it (Verdant 152). When comparing the Ables and the Binges he expresses how their differences in consumption and money management set them apart from one another. Verdant glorifies the Ables’ lifestyle choices because they not only benefit themselves, …show more content…
but the community as a whole. They have cautious money-spending habits and steer clear of credit and ATM cards (153). The Binges, on the other hand, live as a materialistic family and Verdant points out that their impulsive spending is unnecessary (157). This reflects the author’s negative feelings towards consumerism and the importance of money management.
The author expresses that the Ables make good relationships with people and support their local community (158).
They do not buy goods from malls or corporate stores, but rather from local farms and markets (154). Their main concerns are simply being healthy. They eat good, quality, home-grown foods, get a lot of rest, spend money on themselves carefully and save money for their children’s educations. They prefer to live simply and spend carefully. The Binges family spends ample time watching television, which makes them an easy target for advertisements. They buy everything new, eat a lot of junk food and drive an expensive gas-guzzling car that pushes them deeper into debt (156). They also do not recycle and produce a huge amount of waste. Verdant says this family “can seek and obtain, immediate short-term satisfaction” (157).
The physical health conditions of both families are also noted in the essay. The Able’s are exceptionally healthy and eat only natural and home-grown food (154). The Binges, however, eat fatty, factory foods because they do not have time to be conscious of what they consume (157). This suggests that consumerism and health are connected, which leads readers to wonder which family will end up saving more
money. Verdant explains these two scenarios and leaves it to the reader to determine which family has more happiness, better quality of life and the ability to successfully avoid an economic catastrophe (158). His intent is to compare two very different ways of life and how each approaches society and the economic system. This essay shows just how simple actions and behaviors can have a significant effect on a person’s life and on those around them.
Word count: 423
Works Cited
Signs of Life in the USA. 2012. The Ables vs. the Binges. By John Verdant. 7th ed.
Boston: Bedford/St. Martin 's, 2012. 152-58. Print.