Throughout the depression, money was, obviously, low, and people needed ways to entertain themselves. In these times of need, people looked to an old friend, capable of hours of entertainment for a very low price. This friend was the book. This essay is essentially meant to be about literature and other hobbies during the depression, but after extensive research I have come to par with the fact that literature was such an overbearing part of 1930s culture, it was essentially the hobby. Sure, there were your made up games, and maybe baseball, but regardless, the activity of choice for the many Americans was still to flop down in an easy chair with a cigarette and a copy of War and Peace and make a nice relaxing time of it.
             Literature during the depression was a peculiar thing, based around poetry and theatre. Many of the books released at this point had a 3rd person outlook, making them intriguing, but maintaining a sense of mystery at the same time. The books were often placed in faraway lands. Each setting in the book was researched very thoroughly, providing a life like, somewhat dark atmosphere the envelopes the reader, allowing him to completely enter the mind of the main character. Even in the poems at this time, that was true. They were large into details, using them to paint a unique and eccentric picture for the reader.
             Many great authors emerged with these books in thanks to president Franklin Roosevelt, who's "New Deal" encouraged many authors to take up writing, as well as to have their works published. While many authors were coming forward, many were all also disappearing back into the background. Also, many authors were not truly recognized until after their death, such as F Scott Fitzgerald and his work Tender is the night. (1) Another author that emerged in the 1930s was John Steinbeck with his book "The Grapes of Wrath". Although he was unable to reproduce the success of the Grapes of Wrath, John Stei...