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Part 1, Chapter 17
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Out of This Furnace, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Immigration and American Identity
Industrialization and Destruction
The American Dream vs. Reality
Women’s Work
Capital vs. Labor
Summary
Analysis
After a month of Kracha and Zuska clumsily sneaking around her children to conduct their affair, Zuska moves into a larger apartment. Word of the affair eventually reaches Borka, Dorta, and Francka. Kracha tells them he is merely “getting from another woman what my wife has never been able to give me.” Francka berates Kracha for cavorting with “that bitch in heat” and covering Elena in “shame” while she “works herself to the bone making a home for you, washing your dirty drawers” and “bearing your children.” Enraged, Kracha strikes Francka, knocking her down before he leaves the house.
Kracha’s selfishness is so pronounced that he voices his preference for Zuska right in front of Elena, who remains silent. Francka berates Kracha not just for his infidelities, but also because his infidelities demonstrate just how utterly unappreciative he is of the work Elena has performed on behalf of the family. Kracha’s violent outburst towards his sister indicates his desire to pursue his own selfish ends, despite the express protest of all of the women in his life.
Themes
