By this point in the Depression many intellectuals were flirting with Socialist causes, and Ornitz tried to interest Caspary by giving her "The Communist Manifesto", the "Daily Worker" and other materials. Though not truly committed, she allowed her work to be affected by changing attitudes, but found that having never been a proletarian, she could not write the great proletarian novel. She helped raise funds for causes and sign petitions but never actually became a true believer. Nonetheless, one of the last things her mother did before she died was to scold Caspary for associating with "filthy reds". Upon returning to Greenwich Village, Caspary was invited to join the Communist party by a very prominent playwright, and did so, though under the alias of "Lucy Sheridan". Caspary found the Party's code of secrecy to be contrary to her search for truth and questioning of values, which had led her to join in the first place. Though claiming to never actively trying to recruit anyone, she admitted performing Party chores such as fund-raising and hosting the fortnightly Confidences Club meetings at her home, which were mostly for socializing.