Question

Read the paragraph.

Katy had seen her dad polish his old work boots and set them by the door each evening to avoid wearing the papery soles any thinner. She’d heard her mama say something about the bank to old Mrs. Powell that made them both heave heavy sighs and wonder aloud about what President Hoover might do. Then, last night, her mama had scraped the skillet after dinner, depositing some pitiful scraps in paper to store in the icebox. Katy did not understand the grown-up worries.

What historical reality is represented in this fictional paragraph?

Answer 1

The paragraph describes some of the everyday experiences and concerns of a family during the Great Depression in the United States. The father's practice of polishing his old work boots to make them last longer and the mother's habit of saving food scraps in the icebox reflect the scarcity and economic hardship of the era. The mention of President Hoover suggests the family's awareness of the political and economic situation, as Herbert Hoover was President of the United States during the onset of the Great Depression.