Lodgings for the Poor [a look at the current living conditions of the poor]

Lodgings for the Poor [a look at the current living conditions of the poor]

Boston Traveller

1847-12-04

The newspaper article provides an interesting insight into the living conditions and perceived morality of the poor. In The Lamplighter, Nan Grant’s house resembles the description of the house and living conditions that exist within this article. The article describes the exterior of the house to be “miserable” and “beastly." This is similar to the description of Nan Grant’s house, “Upon the wooden door-step of a low roofed, dark, and unwholesome-looking house, sat a little girl, who was gazing up the street with much earnestness" (Cummins 1). Nan Grant’s house is described as sad and unwelcoming. It is cold and the conditions for the people living in the house are very pitiable. The article’s description of the houses supports the presence of Nan Grant’s house. Nan Grant’s house and the houses in the novel are small, uncomfortable, and sad. Furthermore, the description of the houses in the article sheds further light on Nan Grant’s house. The reader is able to connect Nan Grant’s house to Boston because the article provides a colorful explanation of the poor houses there. In addition, the article goes on to describe the people living inside the houses as having no “self-respect”, “honesty”, and “integrity." The description of the poor living in the houses in Boston provides support for the actions of Nan Grant and Gerty. Nan Grant and Gerty are both immoral and hurtful in their conduct. The article goes on to state that poverty causes the poor to become “vicious." This statement supports the actions of Nan Grant, “Nan was a Scotchwoman, no longer young, and with a temper which, never good, became worse as she grew older” (Cummins 9). Nan Grant is portrayed as angry and hurtful. She is almost like an animal waiting to strike. The article supports Nan Grant’s actions as being legitimate to poor people in that time period. Furthermore, Nan Grant’s history of poverty has caused her to become the person she is in the novel, “She had seen life’s roughest side, had always been a hard-working woman, and had the reputation of being very smart and a driver” (Cummins 9). The article provides further insight into Nan Grant’s attitude because it states that the constant turmoil and labor of the poor causes them to become harsh and immoral. This article provides support for the actions of Nan Grant. She is a product of the struggle of poverty, like others in Boston. The description of Nan Grant’s house is similar to other houses that belong to the poor in Boston. This provides further insight into the ability of Nan Grant’s character to be legitimate. The article supports the phenomena that the outside is a good judge of what is inside.

Kirsten Van Nortwick

Traveller, Boston. "Lodgings for the Poor." Harbinger, Devoted to Social and Political Progress (1845-1849) Dec 04 1847: 35. ProQuest. Web. 18 Mar. 2015 .

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