Studs Terkels Oral History Of The Great Depression

The contrasting experiences of Clifford Burke and Jane Yoder, as depicted in Studs Terkels Oral History of the Great Depression, give people today an insight into the various challenges faced by ordinary Americans during the Great Depression. Intro The Great Depression of the 1930s left a major mark on American society and impacted individuals and families everywhere. Studs Terkel's Hard Times: An Oral History of the Great Depression, offers a glimpse into some of the lives of ordinary Americans who lived through it. Among the voices captured in these oral histories are Clifford Burke and Jane Yoder. These two people shared their contrasting experiences, which shed light on the diverse challenges faced by individuals during this unruly time.

In his oral history Burke starts off saying, “The Negro was born in depression,” (Burke, Hard Times, 82). This in itself is a powerful statement, as Burke is essentially saying he saw no difference in the quality of life during the Great Depression, or after it. This really showed off his mindset during the Great Depression going into his statement and how it wasn’t anything completely new to him. He discussed how the Great Depression came to light only when it “hit the white man,” saying that the Great Depression only became glorified when white men had to start living life the way black men had for many years. Burke, Hard Times, 82. Burke talks about one big advantage for him was how his wife could go to the store and pick up the bare minimum to eat, such as beans, and he wouldn't be complaining whereas a white man that's making more money couldn't get away with that in his household. Burke cracked a few jokes throughout his statement, saying if a white man brought home beans to his family, his wife would say, “Get

She talked about how she would vomit when she had a cold just so her mother would bring her the “good things” referring to oranges and bananas. She recalls, “you almost looked forward to the day you could throw up..dreaming about oranges and bananas.” (Yoder, Hard Times, 86). For her family, hunger took a huge toll on her family, especially when they became ill with the lack of warmth. Unlike Burke, her father was, “immediately employed in this WPA,” (Works Progress Administration), and how that was a, “godsend,” for her and her family. She made a point to mention how, “that was the greatest thing because it meant food, which in turn meant survival.” Yoder recalls the many other people who referred to those with WPA as, “lazy.. Shovel learners,” and she would sit silent knowing her family had no other respectable employment as an option. (Yoder, Hard Times, 86-87). This is a point that completely contrasts with how Burke viewed the New Deal program. She found that this program was basically equivalent to survival. Conclusion In Conclusion, the contrasting experiences of Clifford Burke and Jane Yoder offer valuable insights into the multifaceted impact of the Great Depression on American