Answers TX-English III - BISD BDepression and Hard Times

Depression and Hard Times Answers

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Which sentence best summarizes the central idea of the song, “Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?”

The United States was built, developed, and protected by women and men of various cultures and backgrounds.

The men begging for money on the street helped build and protect our country, and they deserve a better lot than they have been given.

Farms, railroads, and the military have greatly diminished in quality since the onset of the Great Depression.

A man named Al is responsible for the building, development, and protection of the United States of America.

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Based on the interview with E.Y. (Yip) Harburg, how does Harburg’s experience during the Great Depression differ from the experiences of most Americans?

Losing all of his possessions gave him the freedom to travel and see all regions of the country.

He decided to leave the country and find a garret apartment in Paris where he could write.

While many other businesses collapsed, Harburg’s business continued to prosper.

By being able to develop his creative talents, he profited from the Depression while many others suffered.

Read the excerpt from the song, “Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?”Once in khaki suits, gee we looked swell, Full of that Yankee Doodle-de-dum, Half a million boots went sloggin’ through Hell, I was the kid with the drum.What reality of the Great Depression does the excerpt convey?

lack of spending power

lower agricultural production

increased unemployment

disillusioned returning veterans

What effect of the Great Depression is described in the song, “Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?”

The expanded government regulations used to control banking practices led to abuses in power and a financial collapse.

The stock market crash of 1929 caused extensive losses in financial wealth for individuals in various branches of society.

Due to a lesser demand for food, the production of agricultural goods diminished and farmers struggled to keep their farms.

The men who had built and fed the nation and fought in World War I were abandoned and struggling to survive.

Read the excerpt from the interview with E.Y. (Yip) Harburg.The prevailing greeting at that time, on every block you passed, by some poor guy coming up, was: “Can you spare a dime?” Or: “Can you spare something for a cup of coffee?” . . . “Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?” finally hit on every block, on every street. I thought that could be a beautiful title. If I could only work it out by telling people, through the song, it isn’t just a man asking for a dime. This is the man who says: I built the railroads. I built that tower. I fought your wars. I was the kid with the drum. Why the hell should I be standing in line now? What happened to all this wealth I created? Why does Harburg feel that “Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?” is a legitimate question, not just a plea from a beggar?

With their hard work, these individuals had invested in their country and they deserved to be suitably rewarded.

Manual labor jobs were replaced by white-collar jobs, so construction workers had no more options.

A dime was only a small amount of money that could feed an entire family for many days.

All of the wealthy had retained their riches, while the poor had to suffer through the Depression.

Read the excerpt from the interview with E.Y. (Yip) Harburg.Everybody picked up the song in ’30 and ’31. Bands were playing it and records were made. When Roosevelt was a candidate for President, the Republicans got pretty worried about it. Some of the network radio people were told to lay low on the song. In some cases, they tried to ban it from the air. But it was too late. The song had already done its damage.Based on the excerpt and your knowledge of American history, which statement is most accurate?

Republican President Hoover was immensely popular with the public.

Herbert Hoover was instrumental in the recovery of the American economy.

The Democrats won the election due to the success of Harburg’s song.

Franklin Roosevelt, a Democrat, won the election of 1932.

Read the excerpt from the interview with E.Y. (Yip) Harburg.We thought American business was the Rock of Gibraltar. We were the prosperous nation, and nothing could stop us now. A brownstone house was forever. You gave it to your kids and they put marble fronts on it. There was a feeling of continuity. If you made it, it was there forever. Suddenly the big dream exploded. The impact was unbelievable.Based on the excerpt and your historical knowledge, why did the stock market crash make Americans lose confidence in business?

Other industries became more successful and provided needed jobs.

Most successful business owners refused to assist those in need.

Americans realized that business was not immune to failure and could collapse.

Average Americans became the victims of unethical business owners.

Which historical event was the major incentive for Harburg to write the song, “Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?”

World War I

the Great Depression

World War II

the Korean War

Read the excerpt from the interview with E.Y. (Yip) Harburg.In the song the man is really saying: I made an investment in this country. Where the hell are my dividends? Is it a dividend to say: “Can you spare a dime?” What the hell is wrong? Let’s examine this thing. It’s more than just a bit of pathos. It doesn’t reduce him to a beggar. It makes him a dignified human, asking questions—and a bit outraged, too, as he should be.According to Harburg, the song “Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?”

humanizes and lends a sense of worth to the common beggar on the street.

was written to assist the poor in getting more money from passersby.

answers the question “What is wrong?” for impoverished individuals.

lessens the outrage felt by the many poor, marginalized individuals.

Which lines from the song, “Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?” conveys the image of veterans who are unable to find work?

When there was earth to plow, or guns to bear I was always there—right on the job. They used to tell me I was building a dream With peace and glory ahead— Why should I be standing in line Just waiting for bread?

Once I built a railroad, made it run, Made it race against time. Once I built a railroad, Now it's done— Brother, can you spare a dime?

Once in khaki suits, gee we looked swell, Full of that Yankee Doodle-de-dum, Half a million boots went sloggin’ through Hell, I was the kid with the drum.

Say, don't you remember, they called me Al— It was Al all the time. Why don't you remember, I'm your pal— Buddy, can you spare a dime?

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