Out of This Furnace

Out of This Furnace

by

Thomas Bell

Hunky Term Analysis

The term “Hunky” is a derogatory epithet that Anglo steelworkers use to refer to Slovaks and other eastern European Slavic immigrant groups. The term derives from the second part of the name of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, from which most Slovaks immigrated at the turn of the century. Beyond merely referencing the geographical origin of workers from central Europe, non-Slovaks in Out of This Furnace associate the term “Hunky” with negative traits such as dirtiness, ignorance, poverty, uncouthness, and drunkenness, which supposedly characterize Slovaks as a group. In the novel, being labeled a Hunky is a major impediment for Slovaks and other Slavic groups who want to be recognized as Americans. While the novel’s first generation of Slovak immigrants, represented by Kracha, largely brushes off the epithet, later generations of Slovak-Americans, such as the American-born Dobie, deeply resent the term and its implication of un-Americanness. In the decades since the novel’s publication, the term has largely fallen into disuse as Slovak-Americans, like other groups before them, gradually assimilated into the broader American culture.

Hunky Quotes in Out of This Furnace

The Out of This Furnace quotes below are all either spoken by Hunky or refer to Hunky. For each quote, you can also see the other terms and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Immigration and American Identity Theme Icon
).
Part 2, Chapter 1 Quotes

That hostility, that contempt, epitomized in the epithet “Hunky,” was the most profound and lasting influence on their personal lives the Slovaks of the steel towns encountered in America.

Related Characters: Mike Dobrejcak
Related Symbols: Steel Mills
Page Number: 123
Explanation and Analysis:
Part 2, Chapter 13 Quotes

Once I used to ask myself, Is this what the good God put me on earth for, to work my life away in Carnegie's blast furnaces, to live and die in Braddock's alleys?

Related Characters: Mike Dobrejcak (speaker), Joe Wold, Andrew Carnegie, Steve Bodnar
Related Symbols: Steel Mills
Page Number: 197
Explanation and Analysis:
Part 4, Chapter 9 Quotes

The very things the Irish used to say about the Hunkies the Hunkies now say about the niggers. And for no better reason.

Related Characters: John “Johnny” Dobrejcak / Dobie (speaker), Djuro “George” Kracha, Dorta Dubik
Related Symbols: Steel Mills, Unions
Page Number: 330
Explanation and Analysis:
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Hunky Term Timeline in Out of This Furnace

The timeline below shows where the term Hunky appears in Out of This Furnace. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Part 2, Mike Dobrejcak: Chapter 1
Immigration and American Identity Theme Icon
...English-speaking groups have always looked down on the Slovaks, their disdain “epitomized in the epithet ‘Hunky.’” The first generation of Slovaks, Kracha’s generation, were an “oppressed minority” in their home country... (full context)
Part 2, Mike Dobrejcak: Chapter 11
Immigration and American Identity Theme Icon
Industrialization and Destruction Theme Icon
The American Dream vs. Reality Theme Icon
...says in anguish. Mary tries to sooth him, but he laments that he is “a Hunky, and they don’t give good jobs to Hunkies.” Mary suggests moving to a bigger house... (full context)
Part 4, Dobie: Chapter 17
Immigration and American Identity Theme Icon
The American Dream vs. Reality Theme Icon
Capital vs. Labor Theme Icon
...he engages in any acts of libel against the steelworkers. Flack calls Dobie a “dumb Hunky son of a bitch” while threatening to shove his fist down Dobie’s throat. Dobie responds... (full context)
Part 4, Dobie: Chapter 18
Immigration and American Identity Theme Icon
Industrialization and Destruction Theme Icon
The American Dream vs. Reality Theme Icon
Capital vs. Labor Theme Icon
...life and death over others.” Finally, Dobie looks forward to the day when the word “Hunky” ceases to be an acceptable epithet and gradually fades from collective memory. (full context)