Langston Hughes' stories deal with and serve as commentary on the conditions that affected African Americans during the Depression era. As Ostrom explains, "To a large extent, her stories speak for those disenfranchised, deceived, abused, or ignored because of race or class." (51) Hughes' stories are about the oppressed African Americans, overlooked and neglected by a society full of prejudice. The recurring theme of helplessness leading to violence is exemplified by the actions of Sargeant in "On the Road", old Oyster in "Gumption", and the thief in "Why, You Reckon?". Hughes' "On the Road" explores what happens when a powerless individual acts on behalf of his condition. The tale illustrates the desperation and subsequent violent actions of a homeless man on a snowy winter evening. “He stopped and stood on the stooped sidewalk, hungry, sleepy and cold, looking up and down.” (Hughes 90) Here Sargeant is without the basic necessities: shelter and food. Sargeant, hopeless and hungry, wanders the lonely streets and comes across a church. However, the church's reverend denies Sargeant access. Mullen explains further: "And in "On the Road" an unemployed black man, quickly greeted by a loud-mouthed preacher, bursts into a church" (81) When the reverend refuses to house him, Sargeant's desperation and helplessness leads him to commit a rash action: breaking down the door of the church towards a street of onlookers. Soon after, the police come to take Sargeant away and put him behind bars, where he recalls his actions. If Sargeant had simply had the basic means to survive, food and shelter, he would not have done so out of desperation. In other words, Sageant's lack of security: food, shelter, and warmth, leads him to take violent actions in an attempt to obtain it. The short story "Gumption" highlights the reckless actions that can be taken by powerless individuals. When the Depression era arrives, most are left without work, including old Oyster and his son. Charlie Oyster is assigned road work under the guise that there are "no office jobs here for niggers." (Hughes 98) Outraged, old Oyster angrily storms into the WPA office and demands that his son be given a job suited to his qualifications. Instead of listening, the white man calls Oyster a communist. Hughes explains further: "Now, old Oyster never had any trouble in this town before, but when the cops started putting their hands on him and throwing him out of that office, he kicked up the sand.