Times are tough on the mean streets of Moscow. Thousands of kids have been left homeless, forcing them to steal just to make ends meet. Hundreds of shopkeepers have had their business taken from them without reason. And there are others who are in even worse shape, if you can believe it. Although the poverty depicted in The Wild Children can be heartbreaking at times, the story ultimately takes an optimistic view of the power of community, friendship, and determination.
Questions About Poverty
- In what ways does the government cause poverty? What patterns do you notice and what do they reveal about the government?
- How does Alex's conception of poverty change over the course of the novel?
- Why are upper class citizens so condescending toward homeless people? Explain.
- Does Alex benefit at all from his experience living in poverty? Explain your answer.
Chew on This
Try on an opinion or two, start a debate, or play the devil’s advocate.
Although Alex is a little scared of homeless people at the beginning of the novel, he comes to empathize with them after enduring months of poverty himself.
By breaking up so many families, the Soviet government makes widespread poverty all but inevitable.