The Climb Begins Summary and Analysis

Within two years of arriving in America, the Carnegies recoup their fortune through the help of their friends, relatives, and countrymen in America and earn more income that they ever received in Scotland. A typical pattern in the nineteenth century is that a community builds up around a few pioneers who leave their homeland and then encourage friends and relatives to join them. For example, Margaret Carnegie's sister precedes her move to America and Annie Aitken provides them rent-free housing. Except for Tom, the youngest who is in school, Will and Margaret go to work by weaving and shoe-binding, and Andrew as a bobbin boy in a textile mill where he is proud to be a "breadwinner." Although he dislikes the tedium, smells and hours, he works in another textile mill until he gets an office opportunity...