Out of This Furnace

The second part of the novel tells the story of Mike Dobrejcak, the young man who arrived to Braddock from Joe Dubik’s hometown. The story picks up in 1900, when Mike is twenty-five years old. Mike works in the steel mill, as he has done practically since he arrived. He also still makes the same wages, a mere fourteen cents an hour, though he has worked for ten years at the mill. Mike wants to better himself, and begins attending English classes to learn how to read and write, as well as to learn more about American history. The beginning of Mike’s section also comments on how many other immigrants have since become a part of the population in Braddock. This has not only caused the population in Braddock to swell, but has also caused tensions. The newer generation is markedly different, being more interested in politics and self-worth than George Kracha’s generation. Other developments include Carnegie, who owns the steel mills, selling them to J.P. Morgan. With this event, the U.S. Steel Corporation is created. The new entity wastes no time in letting workers know that it will not put up with unions and labor disputes.