Write a 1,000-word essay based on the following reading:
· Vernon, 2007 –“Hunger as Political Critique”
Address the following in your essay(in other words, answer the question in bold below):
One interpretation of the “argument” (or “thesis”) of the chapter by James Vernon titled, “Hunger as Political Critique” is the following:
Ideas about hunger and famine in the 18th-20thcenturies changed. In the 18thcentury, many people (especially those with wealth and power) believed that widespread hunger was a moral failing on the part of the people who were hungry. In other words, if they had no food to eat, it was because they were “bad” people, who were lazy or prone to vice. But, over the course of the 19thcentury, widespread hunger became defined as a moral failing on the part of the rich and powerful. In other words, if people had no food to eat, it was because governments enacted bad policies that resulted in widespread starvation. The connection between bad governmental policies and hunger eventually became so strong that activists could generate public support and sympathy for their causes through the use of hunger strikes. By refusing to consume food, these activists portrayed themselves as morally superior to the government. Indeed, they often used verbal and textual imagery that discussed their moral superiority, in the hopes of strengthening public support for their causes.
Is this argument (“thesis”) convincing? Why or why not?
To answer the question highlighted in bold, you must focus very closely on the evidence that the author uses to discuss it. Basically, you are answering this question: Does the chapter provide strong evidence to support that thesis? Why or why not? A related question, if you believe that the evidence does not support this interpretation is this: Based on the evidence discussed in the chapter, do you think there is a different interpretation of its argument? A strong essay will analyze the evidence from all parts of the chapter, but especially focus on the three different groups of activists discussed by the author (Irish nationalists, suffragettes, and Indian nationalists).
As always, the more specific examples and details you use to support your assertions, the stronger your essay and the higher the grade you will earn. Thus, be sure to do the following:
·Include many specific details and examples from the text in your essay
·In fact, use “for example,” once or twice in your essay
