In the short story "Act of God" by Joan Baxter, the author wants to illustrate the inferior class have difficulties survives as an individuals during the periods of drought. The story talks about a white woman, Jillian, who comes to African to help the residents of a small village, where is confronted with drought and gets the unhealthy water from a dangerous tank. At the end of story, the African girl Aisha, drowns in it, makes Jillian fell guilty. In an analysis of this text, the reader understands how poverty has difficulties overcoming nature disaster and how they survive as an individual without power. Facing adversity in Africa, Jillian not only changes her rages toward upon the country and tries to help and fit in this society, but also learns to political corruption has negative impact on the village; finally, Jillian knows that the hardships of inferior class in the unequal society. Baxter emphasizes these ideas through the characterization, description and setting.
Through characterization, the author shows how Jillian changes her emotions and attitude because her experience during this period. The author introduces us to Jillian has bad impression and rages about working in this village because she thinks the local people don't truly trust her and worries about her reputation, but she struggles for helping and fitting in this society. In the beginning of the story, Jillian feels despair. An example of this is the author writes," she searches for batteries for the radio and found only an empty package. Threw it on the floor in despair" (Baxter 75). Here, the reader understands even though Jillian's salary fifty times higher than local people, and she doesn't need worry about he life in drought, she still feels loneliness and hopelessness even she thinks that she is not belonging here, and should get out of here. Additionally, living with dispassion and rage, Jillian is still willing to help local people who suffers from drought, the author demonstrates this point through this narration," 'okay' Jillian said finally, 'Give me two piles' ''(76).