Rites of Passage Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Rites of Passage - Essay Example The cost of providing subsidized housing was high therefore the state would latter change to provide a relatively cheaper ‘outdoor relief’ to disadvantaged individuals who lived with their relatives or friends. This relief worked efficiently in providing quality living standards, despite the economic depression where massive lay-off occurred resulting to high levels of unemployment of able- bodied people (Joanne, 1966). The article ‘Rites of Passage’ represents a beneficiary of public relief trying to give back to the society. Cephas Ribble, a sixty eight year old man, enters into County Department of Public Welfare with the sole intention of donating farm product to the welfare so that they foodstuff can be distributed to the poor and needy people. On arrival he seems not sure whether he is presentable or not. Additionally, the staff present in the office had the assumption that all elderly people visiting the office are in need of assistance as it had been the norm. Mr. Ribble does not realize that the public assistance once given to him no longer exists. He explains how the relief aid provided to farmers in 1934 had sustained his family. He further explains how he worked hard to buy his house and pay off the debts that his family had. He requests the woman to bring men to his truck to off load his massive food donation. However, he does not realize that laws had changed and food donations were no longer necessary. Despite his good conscience and massive donation, Cephas’s truck blocks all the workers’ cars and all workers leave the office to assist him offload. The donation suffers sharp criticism due to disorganized distribution of the food with some protesting that the food contains contraceptive medicine, others claim racism in the mode of distribution (Joanne, 1966). Mr. Cephas is a wise and