The Great Depression was a time of pain and suffering. People were not worried about “forward-looking” (line 36) fashion or excessive “extravagance.” (line 19) In fact, comparing the Great Depression to today’s society filled with greed could be considered insulting and degrading. Our society had come a long way (whether that be taken in a good or bad sense) since that period of misery. In the 1950’s the pink flamingo had an “outbreak” in the yards, stores, and lives of people from the average Joe to “Elvis Presley” (line 44). Jennifer Price’s theme of a superficial, self-centered society echoes throughout her essay. Beginning with the title “The Plastic Pink Flamingo: A Natural History”, Price draws attention to the contradictory terms “plastic”