Carolina Maria de Jesus' book Child of the Dark is an informative, yet riveting, collection of events about a single woman's life in the favelas (slums) of São Paulo. In this book, de Jesus talks about her everyday struggles to raise three children, alone and penniless. She talks about the adversities she faces with a blunt tone. De Jesus also captures the essence of the futility that her fellow favelados (impoverished slum-dwellers) feel.
             Carolina Maria de Jesus faced many adversities while living in the favelas. She had to raise three children alone and without a job. She could not get a job because she was single and had children, so for money she collected paper and cans on the streets. She then sold these for pennies a day, enough to buy food for her children. De Jesus also had to deal with the desperation of the other favelados. These people were poor just like she was and many had given up hope, sinking into depression and alcoholism. They despised de Jesus because she hadn't given up hope yet. She was still collecting papers and refused to fight with the favelados when they wanted to start a fight. De Jesus' unwillingness to give up hope for her children kept her going against the adversities she faced.
             Many social problems existed in the favelas. Alcoholism was a major factor among both men and women. It was a means of escaping the environment they lived in. However, when favelados got caught up in this downward spiral of drinking, it was difficult to get out of. "But it is well known that people who are given to the vice of drink never buy anything. Not even clothes. Drunks don't prosper." (21-22) Disease was also a problem in the favelas. Getting tapeworms was common due to unclean water supplies. "[Vera] said she was hungry. I bought some milk and made oatmeal for her. She ate, then vomited it up a worm." (62) Tuberculosis was also common. Prostitu
             ...