Exploring Society's View on the Poor

Society's Perception of the Poor

Society viewed the poor as individuals who were seen as burdensome and incapable of supporting themselves financially. The existence of debtors' prisons demonstrates a lack of empathy towards those who couldn't pay their debts. Additionally, the establishment of workhouses suggests a belief that the poor were lazy or unwilling to work.

The harsh conditions in prisons and workhouses indicate that society had little regard for the well-being of the poor. The overcrowded and unsanitary living conditions in these institutions show a lack of concern for the basic needs and dignity of the inmates. The separation of families in workhouses further highlights the dehumanization of the poor, as they were treated as mere laborers rather than individuals with personal relationships and emotions.

The use of the treadmill as a form of punishment reflects society's perception of the poor as disposable labor. By forcing prisoners to engage in physically demanding tasks such as milling corn or pumping water, society treated them as expendable resources rather than human beings deserving of compassion and respect.

In conclusion, society viewed the poor through a lens of judgment and devaluation, seeing them as inferior and unworthy of support or assistance. The treatment of the poor in prisons, workhouses, and on the treadmill reveals a societal attitude of indifference and exploitation towards those in need, perpetuating a cycle of poverty and marginalization for the most vulnerable members of society.