Marie Cloisette Confronts Hunger Itis September, 1788. It has been a difficult year for most of the peasants in France, Due to outdated farming methods and poor conditions, last year’s crop failures have caused food shortages in many areas. It also looks like this year’s harvest is not going to be any better. The government of King Louis XVI does not appear to be very concerned, Despite the rising costs of btead due to the food shortages, the government has not provided any tax relief to the members of the Third Estate. Furthermore, the government claims that it does not raise enough money through taxes to be able to give any help to the city-poor or the peasants who do not have adequate food or shelter to survive. During these times of food shortage, there is also a shortage of pride and order within France, The French people have long forgotten the glory of France under Louis XIV and now resort to rioting and stealing in order to get the food they desperately need. “The nobility — who enjoy a level of prosperity that allow them to live well beyond their means ~ do not trust the city or rural poor and try to have as little contact with them as possible, While the wealthier bishops and archbishops act similar to the nobles, some of the parish priests do their best to help, giving whatever zid they can to the most unfortunate, Marie Cloisette is the mother of six children who lives in a farming village in southern France, The area where she lives has been hit especially hard by last year’s crop failure and a drought this year is threatening the current harvest. No matter how long her nssband Pierre works in the fields, Marie does not believe there will be extra food. Marie is saddened because she has noticed more and more people in her village begging for food. She is afraid that there will not be adequate food for even her own family. Marie has started to ration the small amount of food that she does have, Her children frequently complain about being hungry, but Marie is so scared about what the future might bring that she does not want to go through her meager food supply too quickly. Louise Millet and her family of five live down the street from Marie's family. Although Louise's family are also farmers, they have always possessed more wealth than Marie’s family. From time to time, their husbands have helped each other get as much out of their fields as possible. Louise thinks that Marie is being overly cautious with her family’s food supply and that there will be a greater food supply in the future, Louise also cannot bear the thought of her children being hungry, and so she refuses to ration the food she has, Marie has tried to warn Louise about what might happen if conditions do not improve but Louise does not want to change her ways.It is now January, 1789. Louise was wrong end Marie was right, conditions for the peasants have become worse, The harvest this year was even worse than expected and food has become very scarce. Louise has reached the very end of her food supply. Marie, on the other hand, still has food for her family, and appears that she will be able to make it through all of the spring. She hopes that conditions will improve by then, or else she will be facing starvation, a5 Louise is right now. Louise will not be able to get help from either the government or the church because they will either refuse to help or they are providing help to the thousands who are much worse off than her. With nowhere else to turn, Louise goes to Marie and asks her to please give her some food for her family or they will starve,