Rhetorical Analysis Of It Is Cheaper To Be Poor By Barbara Ehrenreich

Investigative journalist, Barbara Ehrenreich, in her article, “It Is Expensive to Be Poor”, expounds on the repercussions the lower-class face on a daily basis. Ehrenreich’s purpose is to educate the audience about the reality the poor face day-to-day. The author creates a formal tone in order to have middle-class and older Americans understand the unfortunate reasons as to why the lower class is in their position and the difficulties they face to move on. In the beginning of the article Ehrenreich begins to explain how years ago the government attempted to fight the “War on Poverty”. Giving examples the audience may be familiar with, she explains how in 1964 underfunded programs begun but did not go much far. Ehrenreich explains how,
Never been poor, older middle-class Americans tend to be ignorant to people in poverty and assuming that they’re the reason they’re in that position. As Ehrenreich states in paragraph six: “The Great Recession should have put the victim-blaming theory of poverty to rest. In the space of only a few months, millions of people entered the ranks of the officially poor—not only laid-off blue-collar workers, but also downsized tech workers, managers, lawyers, and other once-comfortable professionals. No one could accuse these “nouveau poor” Americans of having made bad choices or bad lifestyle decisions” Ehrenreich begins to explain her personal experiences in poverty: “I took jobs as a waitress, nursing-home aide, hotel housekeeper, Wal-Mart associate, and a maid with a house-cleaning service” which contrasts to the article and her credibility. She understands first hand having to take on these entry-level jobs especially being a woman. Besides the financial consequences these people face, they also endure physical pain from their back, to their knees and