Where the Red Fern Grows takes place in the 1930s, during both The Great Depression and the Dust Bowl. Billy lives in a small rural house in Kansas. As a young boy, he finds it hard to save up to buy something, as even making fifty dollars takes him two years. Therefore, they do not have everything they might need. Billy really wants two hunting dogs, because he wants to go on a hunt for raccoons. If you want to read more, go to Where the Red Fern Grows. Billy’s dad says, “Those kinds of dogs cost money, and that’s something we don’t have right now” (9). He also says, “If I had that much money, I’d buy another mule” (11). This shows how the Great Depression and Dust Bowl impacted a farm family.
Great Depression
During the “Roaring Twenties,” the U.S. Stock Market was expanding rapidly. A mild recession in the Summer of 1929 caused goods to be piled up in the farmland, neither the farmers nor consumers buying or selling, which left a lot of unsold goods lying around.
Everyone tried to get their money out of the banks, which were all closed, and people lost money. Factories and other companies could not afford to pay all of their employees, so the businesses had to let them go. Eventually, many businesses closed. People could not pay for basic needs as many ended up jobless, homeless, and very, very hungry. It was not until 1939 that Americans realized that they needed to industrialize to supply the allies for World War 2.
The Dust Bowl
According to Manifest Destiny, Americans believed that they were destined to farm all the land out west and take over the North American Continent. Many farmers began pouring into the region and plowing all the native grasses there. A lot of wet seasons passed by and the wheat that the farmers planted grew and grew. From World War 1 to the Roaring Twenties, those farmers made a lot of money. Then, a mild recession turned into a depression and the farmers could not profit from selling their wheat anymore. Then, a long drought hit hard. Dust gathered and blew away all the now unstable top soil that was not held in due to the overplowing of native grasses. Huge dust storms raged across the midwest. These conditions along with the Great Depression would take their toll over the 1930s until its’ end in 1940.
Conclusion
The Great Depression was a cruel time when many people starved, lost their money, and could not pay their rent. Therefore, some people became homeless. They could not afford to buy basic needs like food, water, and shelter. In Where the Red Fern Grows, Billy’s family cannot buy a dog, for example. Billy has to work hard for two years just to make fifty dollars! During a depression, basic needs are more important than wants. Where the Red Fern Grows demonstrates the hardships and impacts caused by the Great Depression.
Sources: Great Depression, Great Depression, Dust Bowl, Dust Bowl, Brainpop, Brainpop
So today is Halloween!! Be spooky and go trick or treating on this day! I’m currently working on many blog postings, and I’m not sure if the Decision is the next posting. Anyway, enjoy all the candy you get from trick-or-treating.
