This essay will explore the experiences of working class women in Canada during the 1930s, particularly how "the 1930s shaped the positions economic and social aspects of young women. within their families and changed their life choices, while also creating the possibility of independence and adventure and opening up access to the city's commercial entertainments. This essay will draw on examples from two literary works – The Tin Flute by Gabriel Roy and Breadwinner Daughters by Katrina Srigley – to compare the similarities and differences of the experiences of young working women during the Great Depression. I will conclude this essay by weighing the pros and cons of telling stories of struggle and sacrifice through fictional writing versus oral histories. Specifically, I will say why I believe Breadwinner Daughters provided a more accurate and in-depth understanding of the individual experiences of these young working-class women. The 1930s, often referred to as the "Great Depression" or "interwar period", was a period marked by high unemployment, extreme poverty, severe economic instability and social inequality. Although many young women worked before the Great Depression, the 1930s saw a massive influx of female workers as "jobs in primary industry, in which were largely held by men, disappeared." Unemployed, many families have had to look for new ways to remain financially stable. One way was government assistance. However, both literary works indicated that relief was undesirable and generally a last resort. As Breadwinner Daughters stated: “Relying on government assistance was seen as an indication of moral and individual failure. » Fortunately, "respectable working girl... middle of paper ... and gender, racial, and class inequalities framed young women's individual experiences and lifestyles." These young women had no choice but to take on the role of “breadwinner” and had no choice but to make sacrifices to provide for their families. As a result, the individual dreams and paths of these young women were profoundly altered in the 1930s. Thus, it is undoubtedly important to understand and recognize how these young women not only played a vital role in maintaining the social and economic status of their families, but ultimately enabled their families to survive during the worst economic recession . .Works citedRoy, Gabrielle. The pewter flute. Toronto: New Canadian Library, 1989.Srigley, Katrina. Girls who earn bread: young women who work in a city during a period of depression. Toronto: Toronto University Press, 2010.