Plot - "A Simple Matter of Hunger"

 “A Simple Matter of Hunger” is a short story about a woman named Eleanor and the relationship she has with her foster baby Jancey. The inherent conflicts that Eleanor faces include wanting to help Jancey but not being able to due to only existing within the restricted role of a foster parent. She can’t feed her, and so, all she can really do is take her to the doctor and help in other aspects. Eleanor wishes to take on this caretaker role for Jancey but no matter what she does, it doesn’t take away from the fact the baby has AIDS. This initial conflict of caretaking of a chronically sick child draws an invisible line between her and the rest of the mothers. This is first shown when her and another mother are in the bathroom together. This other mother embracing Eleanor is what was probably a genuine act of reassurance but became recognition of how little Eleanor can do for Jancey. Fostering a chronically sick child generally requires more care than a healthy child. To offset other’s lack of understanding of Jancy’s condition, Eleanor attempts to connect to someone who does, Jancey’s foster Mom. She calls the number on the envelope that was sent to her from San Antonio, Texas. Jancey’s grandmother picks up the phone instead. However, even though it is evident that the grandmother loves Jancey, she doesn’t wish to acknowledge the reality that not only her daughter is sick but also that the disease has carried onto her grandchild – almost as though viewing Jancey as the disease itself rather than a precious life.

Sky has many inherent conflicts due to the desire to honor both her parents’ expectations and her developing identity. Her family, especially her father, puts heavy emphasis on being reliable and not giving up, so she can be successful in the medical field just as he was. Adding to these expectations, Sky feels pressure due to her parents' sacrifice on immigrating from Mexico to the United States. Sky will be entering medical school and taking on a part-time job at the hospital. She, a Hispanic, Catholic female, will better understand the challenges that differ between her and other medical students her age, especially those from different cultures.  On another side of her world, she is best friends with a girl named Blaire who is laid back and is more confident in expressing her willingness towards freedom. This differs from Sky’s nature.