With few resources, Clara Barton was able to transform the Sea Islands into an even better living condition. It was said that she "practically made over the community, raised the standard of living, and left the people better off than they were before the storm" (Ross 184). That the people became self-helping attests to what Barton was known for: doing anything she put her mind to and helping people. She was even compared to God by the people she helped, which all three authors note: "As one poor man replied to the question how would he survive the answer was simple: to trust in God and Miss Barton" (Burton 125). The authors all explain that Barton did all that she could to raise money to help the Sea Islands. According to Burton, "Barton sent out her familiar appeals for funds and for things. The response was not overly generous considering the severity of the damage" (125). Barton continued on with her mission even though she did not have enough funds. She was also able to organize food distribution to all the communities and have them start growing their own crops. She made a strict rationing plan that was put into effect with just enough food to sustain life (Burton 125). In other words, her main goal was not to make beggars out of them, but to make them independent, which all three authors agree she succeeded in doing. .
Even with all the similarities among the three biography excerpts, there are some distinct differences in tone and style. While Pryor mentions that Barton had to be begged to help the relief organization, Ross and Burton claim that Barton did it without a second thought. According to Pryor, the reason that Barton hesitated about helping out the Sea Islands was because she might not have been able to do it, which makes sense. Barton was seventy-two years old at the time, and she was getting sick. Her health was not all that it used to be. From Pryor's and Burton's passages, we learn that the reason the government did not aid in the relief effort is because of the race of the islanders.