The Great Depression In Cinderella Man

The Great Depression was the time period between 1929 and 1939 where America's economy took a huge fall. It began after the stock market crash of 1929 and from there it went downhill with banks later shutting down, and people losing their money in the banks and stock market, leading to mass unemployment. In the movie Cinderella Man, The Great Depression is shown in multiple ways through the life of Jim Braddock and his boxing career. The quote by Braddock “Just let me take them in the ring. At least I know who’s hitting me” implying that Braddock chooses the certainty of being punched in the face with boxing rather than the unexpected and unpredictable struggles that come from the Great Depression. The first struggle that happens is Braddock has trouble with unemployment. At the dock where he works they only gave shifts to nine people out of a huge crowd and he doesnt get a shift. Later in a boxing match he broke his hand and when he fought in the next match it ended in a no contest because neither him or his opponent could fight. This led to him being removed from the boxing organization and not being paid for that fight. After this he paints his cast black to try to cover up his injury so he can still get work, which he finally picks for a shift at the docks.

They aren't able to pay for milk delivery, so Braddock’s wife Mae fills the rest of the milk they have with water. Because many parents sent away their children during this time; Braddock's son stole some food to avoid being sent away. After Braddock’s injury he is not able to pay for electricity so it is shut off and they have to resort to candle light. Mae goes with the kids to steal wood for their furnace so they can stay warm. Later Braddock and his family are so deep in poverty that he goes to a relief center for money and is desperate enough to go back to the boxing organization to beg for money so he can pay for the electricity to be turned back