The economy of the guilded age was characterized by
economic growth and high unemployment among unskilled workers
rapid economic growth and social change
a deep recession in which high unemployment fueled massive and rebellious social change
slow economic growth and high unemployment among the middle class

Martin's viewed the work of Laura Bates as something very hilarious since Bates have been getting slammed doors when she was teaching in the prison and Martin hasn't been in that situation yet. And Bates managed to teach the prisoners about Shakespeare and his works and how the prisoners would be able to relate to Shakespeare's works.