Studs Terkel gathers a cross section of opinions on accents and their changing role on class distinctions in British Society. He asks the Mayor and Mayoress of Stratford-upon-Avon, the Huxleys, their opinions on the influence of education on accents and class. Also present to offer opinions are Mr. & Mrs. Lawrence, pub owners from Lower Quinton near Stratford-on-Avon, and Mr. Morris, a London stockbroker and his wife. Bookending the conversation at the mayor's home are two conversations with Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence.

Excerpts from different episodes of "Hard Times: an Oral History of the Great Depression". Concerning The New Deal: Ed Paulsen talks about conflicting feelings regarding the New Deal and how the government seemed more present in daily life. Gardner C. Means explains how the New Deal was created to help save the country. Joe Marcus remembers feeling like his ideas were valued and were making a difference in his government job. John Beecher talks about working in the transient camps.

Presenting "Hard Times: an oral history of the great depression": "Concerning The New Deal" with Ed Paulsen, Hank Oettinger, Gardner C. Means, Raymond Moley, Alf Landon, James A. Farley, C. B. Baldwin, Andy Kull, and John Beecher (program IX).