Nonfiction holds a powerful role in society with the ability to relate true experiences to world messages. Patricia Hampl’s essay “Grandmother’s Sunday Dinner” demonstrates that the value of a gift is not defined by its materialistic worth. Attempting to eliminate judgement of unfamiliar cultures, “Plight of the Little Emperors” from Psychology Today informs about the distinct principles of Chinese culture. In addition, “What is Poverty?” by Jo Goodwin Parker presents a call to action for alleviating the suffering of those in poverty, an ongoing world issue. Occurring in the present-day lives of all people, each idea is not limited to literature. Nonfiction pieces provide connections to the real world by examining universal ideas of giving gifts, understanding cultures, and alleviating suffering.
Patricia Hampl’s “Grandmother’s Sunday Dinner” attaches significant value to the gift of food through Grandmother’s tradition of serving Sunday dinner to her family. While eating food is a basic necessity, producing and sharing it is a “potent center of my grandmother’s life” (Hampl 54). Profound meaning is attached to meals in Hampl’s family culture. Cultivating a sense of
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Her pleas provide a true, intimate insight of impoverished life that evokes sympathy and anger: “Listen to me...Put yourself in my dirty, worn out, ill-fitting shoes, and hear me” (Parker 257). Lacking basic necessities, Parker possesses, “None of these things forever and ever” (259) which illustrates the severity of her situation that is shared by millions of others. After revealing her tragic, personal account, she asks the audience to “Look at us with an angry heart, anger that will help you help me” (260). People around the world call on others to create change for the benefit of