Life in the late 19th and early 20th century was depressing and was an era filled with extremely hard and strenuous work that did not offer much future for the average person . An average wage earner could be virtually stuck in the same job for the rest their life, while the rich maintained their wealth mainly caused by the low taxes. Living conditions were poor for the average person and even worse for arriving immigrants. …showed first 75 words of 1348 total…

…showed last 75 words of 1348 total…able to gain independence from the steel mills, but finds this independence short-lived by his affair with Zuska. Mary and Mike may not have been successful by monetary standards, but they are able to achieve success by having a strong family that does not allow the anti-immigrant sentiment and large corporations to ruin them. By overcoming their struggles and hardships, Kracha, Mike, and Mary prove that immigrants can succeed in the "land of opportunity," America.