Sherwood Anderson's "Death in the Woods" is an investigation into how poverty can contribute to cycles of violence and abuse. Take Jake Grimes, for example—the guy takes out his financial frustrations by getting drunk, stealing horses, and abusing his wife. Or look at his wife, who was born a poor orphan and forced into a life of servitude from a young age. Despite their (and, more specifically, her ) suffering, their plight is invisible to most of the people around them. By watching their lives unfold, we get a crystal clear picture of the way that poverty can limit people from reaching their full potential.
Questions About Poverty
- Does the narrator's own poor upbringing affect his understanding of the story? Why or why not?
- Why does the butcher take pity on Mrs. Grimes?
- Is Jake Grimes to blame for his family's financial state? Why or why not?
- How has living in poverty affected Mrs. Grimes?
Chew on This
Through his actions, Jake makes himself unable to rise up the economic ladder: by stealing the community's horses, he prevents himself from earning the trust he'd need to find good work.
Despite his unsavory behavior, Jake is not to blame for his family's poverty—every effort he makes to turn around his family's fortunes is rejected by the local community.