Exploring Nonfiction through Depression-Era Letter Writing

Since most historians agree that the Great Depression was a watershed event in twentieth century America, Denise Ousley believes “an in-depth exploration of the unsteady political and economic climate, cultural traditions, and diverse experiences of this defining era would do our students a great service.” Therefore, in this article, she makes “the case for presenting—for celebrating—the nonfiction of the Depression in the English classroom.” More specifically, Ousley thinks that “one of the most productive ways to explore Depression-era history is to read the works of the people who were in the midst of surviving it—through the letters they wrote to the White House.