--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: There is something about poverty that…" description: "\"There is something about poverty that smells like death.Dead dreams dropping off theheart like leaves in a dry season and rotting around thefeet; impul..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ec/zora-neale-hurston-923_death_there-is-something-about-poverty-that-sm_556006.png" --- # There is something about poverty that smells like… ![“There is something about poverty that smells like death.Dead dreams dropping off theheart like leaves in a dry season and rotting around thefeet; impulses smothered too long in the fetid air of underground caves. The soul lives in a sickly air. People can be slave-ships in shoes.” quote by Zora Neale Hurston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ec/zora-neale-hurston-923_death_there-is-something-about-poverty-that-sm_556006.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ec/zora-neale-hurston-923_death_there-is-something-about-poverty-that-sm_556006.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ec/zora-neale-hurston-923_death_there-is-something-about-poverty-that-sm_556006.png) > “There is something about poverty that smells like death.Dead dreams dropping off theheart like leaves in a dry season and rotting around thefeet; impulses smothered too long in the fetid air of underground caves. The soul lives in a sickly air. People can be slave-ships in shoes.” [Zora Neale Hurston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zora-neale-hurston/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Poverty creates a suffocating, death‑like atmosphere that crushes dreams and dehumanizes people. **In simple terms:** Poverty feels like death and kills hope. Key Takeaway Recognize and address the hidden harms of poverty. Themes poverty despair dehumanization Mood somber reflective Type poetic social commentary When to use this quote - urban decay - social work - public policy - community health - mental health support Key Concepts social decay psychological oppression environmental metaphor Questions to Reflect On - How does poverty affect mental health? - What can restore dignity in impoverished lives? A Different Perspective The metaphor may overlook structural causes and resilience within communities. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Death](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/death/) [Dreams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dreams/) [Great saying by great authors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/great-saying-by-great-authors/) [Like Death](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/like-death/) [Lives Sickly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lives-sickly-4619611/) [Poverty Smells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poverty-smells-1775049/) [Rotting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rotting/) [Smells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/smells/) [Too long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/too-long/) ## Related quotes > [There is something about poverty that smells like death. Dead dreams dropping off the heart like leaves in a dry season and rotting around…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zora-neale-hurston/there-is-something-about-poverty-that-smells-like-death-dead-dreams-2/) [Zora Neale Hurston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zora-neale-hurston/) > [There is something about poverty that smells like death.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zora-neale-hurston/there-is-something-about-poverty-that-smells-like-death/) [Zora Neale Hurston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zora-neale-hurston/) > [It smells terrible in here.' Well, what do you expect? The human body, when confined, produces certain odors which we tend to forget in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kennedy-toole/it-smells-terrible-in-here-well-what-do-you-expect-the-human-body/) [John Kennedy Toole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kennedy-toole/) > [“Look at us. You look like death, my friend, and I’m sure I do, too. We’ll never stop blaming ourselves. 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