Question

Read the excerpt from the interview with E.Y. (Yip) Harburg.

When I lost my possessions, I found my creativity. I felt I was being born for the first time. So for me the world became beautiful.

With the Crash, I realized that the greatest fantasy of all was business. The only realistic way of making a living was versifying. Living off your imagination.

Based on the excerpt, which best describes Harburg’s view of the Great Depression?
He has no interest in financial success for himself.
He values artistic success over financial success for himself.
He believes most people benefited from losing their financial stability.
He regrets the fact that he gave away his money to benefit his art.

Answer 1

He values artistic success over financial success for himself.

Explanation: Harburg says losing possessions freed his creativity and that the Crash showed business was a fantasy—he turned to "versifying" (living off imagination) as the realistic way to make a living.