Dealing with the Depression Era

Through the decades, many cultural historians have analyzed Bonnie's and Clyde's enduring appeal to the public imagination. E.R. Milner, an historian, writer, and expert on Bonnie and Clyde and their era, put the duo's enduring appeal to the public, both during the Depression and continuing on through the decades, into historical and cultural perspective.

To those people who, as Milner says, "consider themselves outsiders, or oppose the existing system," Bonnie and Clyde represent the ultimate outsiders, revolting against an uncaring system. "The country’s money simply declined by 38 percent", explains Milner, author of The Lives and Times of Bonnie and Clyde. "Gaunt, dazed men roamed the city streets seeking jobs... Breadlines and soup kitchens became jammed. (In rural areas) foreclosures forced more than 38 percent of farmers from their lands (while simultaneously) a catastrophic drought struck the Great Plains... By the time Bonnie and Clyde became well known, many had felt the capitalistic system had been abused by big business and government officials... Now here were Bonnie and Clyde striking back."

There is also a fascination with Outlaw culture. People want to be bad but they know the consequences. Bonny and Clyde were celebrities becasue they likewise handed out money to the desperate but not in a grandiose way like Al Capone who actually fed Chicago. They were true outlaws who were 'good' bad guys!

Oddly Panch Villa was a hero to the Mexicans and much in the same vein as a rough mix of Bonnie and Clyde and Al Capone and he only slightly predated Bonnie and Clyde.

Another special thing about Bonnie and Clyde was that Bonnie was a real female Bad Guy which in that day was unheard of!

Pancho Villa was a murder and rapist as well as bank robber do gooder, so I think people had mixed feelings about him. That's he was always on the run because nobody would cover for him, they would his hand outs then turn him in for the bounty.

I wouldn't mind getting a few bucks from a "Robin Hood" type of fellow when the depression will burst again one day.

Growing up, i hated history, but now as I have "aged" (lol) i find it more and more interesting. I especially like looking into the history of my town and how it has evolved so much....