What one sees are immigrants from all over Europe, speaking a variety of languages and therefore unable to unite to protect themselves from exploitation by anonymous joint stock companies. Despite this natural obstacle to the collective action of these hired slaves, the company remained uneasy and jealously guarded against any attempt to organize the workers. A young American from an upper-class background, full of sympathy for the oppressed and sincerely wanting to understand their situation in order to help them, decided to go to work in a coal mine under a false name and disguised as a worker. His unusual approach to job hunting aroused suspicion. Believed to be a professional strike leader sent to organize the miners against their exploiters, he was not only refused employment but was beaten mercilessly. Finally he was able to enter the mine, but became increasingly angry to discover that those who dug up the black coal were being exploited so shamelessly and inhumanely. These are the basic ideas of the book, but they only give a hint of the author's poetic attitude. This is most beautifully demonstrated in Hal's relationship with a young Irish girl, red-haired Mary. She lives in poverty, and her daily life is difficult and boring, but her extraordinary elegance is one of the most outstanding features of this book. When I first meet Mary, I get the impression that she is a Celtic Madonna with a tender heart who cares for children. She grows into a working-class Valkyrie, always ready to fight for workers' rights.
Purpose: Resist oppression