For an American to go without food for more than a day to us seems unimaginable. The country that so many see as the world leader today, has not always been as strong though. Less than 70 years ago many poor, homeless and unemployed Americans were starving to death. What they went through could be compared to some of the less well off nations today. To begin to understand the plight of the poor, homeless and unemployed American of the depression I will place an average Melbourne family into that situation.

To begin with, take away the house. Banks reclaimed a large number of houses of those who could not keep up the repayments. If this is a lucky family they may have a car to sleep in. Usually this car is a battered old Ford or Chevy; the car doesn't go very well. That doesn't matter though because they probably can't afford petrol anyway. The family will then have to beg for food for dinner. If they are too proud to beg they will try to sell apples or other items on the sidewalls, if they still have nothing to eat they will queue for many hours in bread lines organised by the city charities.

This family will most likely live from their car or move into o

The new problem once they have money becomes crime. Many would kill for 50 cents. This doesn't matter though because many lose all their money though to the drink virtually straight away.

Now take this person or family and unless they have a car imagine how they can travel across the country in search of work. Of course they use the train. The ride is rough; this is because they have to stow away in the cargo carriages. That doesn't matter though because they will most likely fall off or be shot off by the railroad police. The police are ruthless and don't ask questions.

If the family were living in the countryside the situation would be even more despairing. Many farms and houses abandoned, or reclaimed by the bank. Farmers just wander, lamenting, bitter about their losses. It gets pretty hot in the countryside. That doesn't matter though because there are plenty of rivers to drink water from, although dumping and dead bodies floating in them is polluting these rivers. These bodies belong to those who had no reason to live and decided to end it all. A way many people felt.

ne of the Hoovervilles. In this Hooverville they will live like many other families, in a house made from packing cases a

Some common words found in the essay are:
Help Wanted', Hoovervilles Hooverville, USA' American, Ford Chevy, , doesn't matter, poor homeless unemployed, poor homeless, homeless unemployed, rich poor,
Approximate Word count = 812
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)