Pantoum!

The Pantoum of the Great Depression mostly follows the intended structure of this type of poem called a pantoum. However, the only part of the poem that is untrue to the structure is the final quatrain, which is suppose to change pattern but instead remains in the same. The poem describes the overall tragedies, and life during the Great Depression of the late 1920's and early 1930's America. Repetition is common to a pantoum poem, and throughout it the author, Donald Justice, shows this characteristic. For example when he mentions that "there were the usual celebrations and tragedies, and "the ordinary pities and fears consumed us". Several aspects of the poem can be relatable to many people as the economies of numerous countries are experiencing or have experienced very recently a recession. These relatable aspects include the lines "we were poor", and "gathered on our porches." Part of the poem doesn't even have to be relatable to those going through a "hard time" financially. The recurring lines of "no audience would ever know our story", and "our neighbors were our chorus" illustrates that no one wants to air their dirty laundry or give away their secrets. Even though you are neighbors with someone and have a neighborly relationship you will never truly know someone or their real story. This idea is mentioned throughout the poem with the line "and if we suffered we kept quiet about it." During the recession many suffered emotionally and financially. Millions lost their jobs, homes, and valuable personal belongings. People were forced to move outside cities and live in shanty towns called Hoovervilles named after the American president at the time. The suicide rates during the Great Depression increased hastily as countless people couldn't deal with this major life changing loss. Donald Justice tries to capture the feeling of living during the 1930's Great Depression.