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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who owns the hotel where Dobie lives?

2. At the beginning of Part 2, Chapter 11, who does Mike plan on meeting later for a drink?

3. What is Dobie discussing with a man named Stever from Uniontown?

4. Who dies at the end of Part 3, Chapter 6?

5. According to Mikie, what could threaten Dobie's job?

Short Essay Questions

1. Where do Mike and Mary move to at the end of Part 2, Chapter 10? What do they have to do to get extra money now that there are no boarders?

2. At the beginning of Part 2, Chapter 6, what are Mike and Mary doing to make extra money? Who is giving them pointers?

3. What brings about labor problems at the mill? What does Johnny do as a result of the unrest?

4. What directives does the company give the mill workers on how to vote? Does Mike follow the directives?

5. Explain why voting for the Socialist Party would be in line with Mike's concerns about the mill at this point.

6. Who comes in from New York for George's funeral? What feelings does Dobie express about living and working in Braddock to Mikie? What does this once again say about Dobie's resolve?

7. What does the company warn workers about concerning union recognition? Is Dobie swayed by the warnings? Explain how his feelings towards the company's warnings mirror his father's voting practices earlier in the book.

8. When Mary collapses during her pregnancy, she is given instructions by the doctor to rest during the day when "she feels like she need to". What are Mary's responsibilities at this point in the story? What do Mary and Mike decide to do to lighten her responsibilities?

9. What suggestions do Joe and Dorta have for Mary to take care of her children? Is Dorta's suggestion based on logic or emotion?

10. Why does George come to live with Mary? Is George's behavior towards Mary that of a loving father?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Each generation of "immigrant" has his/her own "furnace" to escape. Compare/contrast the furnaces of George, Mary, and Dobie. Just as a furnace forges steel, hard work and effort can forge a better person. Did each generation's "immigrant" become a better person after his/her life experiences in America? Explain in detail.

Essay Topic 2

Dobie represents the third generation immigrant. Describe Dobie's childhood after his father's death. What characteristics are "forged" in Dobie from his childhood experiences that will hold him in good stead as a man?

Essay Topic 3

At the end of the book, could George be described as a successful man? Support your response with details.

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