Paired Texts > The Forgotten Man

by President Franklin D. Roosevelt 1932

We've identified these texts as great options for text pairings based on similar themes, literary devices, topic, or writing style. Supplement your lesson with one or more of these options and challenge students to compare and contrast the texts. To assign a paired text, click on the text to go to its page and click the "Assign Text" button there.

The Economic Bill of Rights
The Economic Bill of Rights
President Franklin D. Roosevelt

In this historical speech, "The Economic Bill of Rights," former U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt discusses the importance of ensuring that the basic needs of all citizens are met.

Pair “The Economic Bill of Rights” with “The Forgotten Man” and ask students to discuss how Franklin D. Roosevelt’s objectives compare in the two texts. Do students think that Roosevelt continues to be committed to improving the livelihood of the “forgotten man” throughout his presidency? Why or why not?

9th Grade Speech 1190L
Excerpt from "On Drought Conditions"
Excerpt from "On Drought Conditions"
President Franklin Delano Roosevelt

This speech, made by 32nd President of the United States Franklin Delano Roosevelt (served 1933-1945), addresses the problems of the Great Depression and the "Dust Bowl" of the 1930s—during which severe drought and erosion conditions led to a prolonged agricultural crisis.

Pair “Excerpt from ‘On Drought Conditions’” with “The Forgotten Man” and ask students to discuss Franklin D. Roosevelt’s views on the importance of farmers in America. How do both texts explore the impact that farmers have on the economy? How do the obstacles that Roosevelt describes farmers facing in “The Forgotten Man” compare to the situation in “Excerpt from ‘On Drought Conditions’”?

9th Grade Speech 1310L
The Great Depression
The Great Depression
Mike Kubic

In "The Great Depression," Kubic explores the causes and effects of the Great Depression, as well as the economic reforms that resulted from this era.

Pair “The Great Depression” with “The Forgotten Man” to provide students with additional information on the Great Depression and the state of America’s economy. How do Franklin D. Roosevelt’s ideas concerning America’s economy compare to President Hoover’s approach to the economy? How do the objectives that Roosevelt shares in “The Forgotten Man” compare to his actions as president, as described in “The Great Depression”?

11th Grade Informational Text 1310L