1. What does the company remind the workers of during mid-term elections? What is the name of the candidate that Mike votes for in the election? What could happen as a result of Mike's choice?

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

3. What situation leads to Dobie moving back to Pittsburgh? What job does he take? What historic event happens in the country around this time?

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

5. What is the extent of Dobie's involvement with the union activities at the end of Part 4, Chapter 11 ? Explain.

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

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 happens with Dobie and Julie's financial situation as a result of no strike and an improving economy?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

When George arrives in New York, he and Zuska and her husband go separate ways. Even though George has Zuska's sister's address in Pittsburgh, and he is obviously attracted to her, he makes no effort to contact her in the upcoming years. What are the possible reasons for his lack of initiative?