Out of This Furnace

Part 1 begins with George Kracha, a Slovak who leaves his country and wife behind to find a better life in America. With his brother-in-law’s address in America and some money for the train ride to Pennsylvania, he sets off. George has been warned not to speak to people upon arrival so that he is not taken advantage of. There are countless stories about immigrants being harmed upon arrival. George knows better, however, and resolves to ask policemen for directions if he needs to.

George begins his twelve-day journey to America from Bremen. Aboard ship, he meets Zuska and her husband John Mihula. The couple are from a province near Zemplinska, and are heading to the Pittsburgh area to live with Zuska’s sister. Like most of the men on the ship, George is taken by Zuska’s looks. Though he is married, he resolves to have fun with Zuska. He ends up throwing her a birthday party, thus spending all his money on trying to impress her. When he tries to caress Zuska at the party, she rebuffs him to his annoyance. As he has spent all his money on her, George must now walk the long way from New York to Pennsylvania.