
In the bustling streets of London, Jimmie Higgins balances a restless household with his growing involvement in the socialist movement. Married to Lizzie, a pragmatic woman who endures long hours caring for three young children, he wrestles with the everyday hardships of working‑class life while trying to bring his family along to a pivotal public meeting at the opera house. Their modest home is a microcosm of the era’s struggles, where even a simple baby carriage becomes a symbol of ingenuity and determination.
As the day of the candidate’s speech approaches, Jimmie’s resolve hardens; he sees the gathering as a chance to awaken his community and to give his children a glimpse of a different future. Lizzie, though wary of the loud political rhetoric, supports his mission, recognizing that participation offers a rare glimpse of self‑improvement for women like herself. The story captures the tension between personal duty and collective hope, inviting listeners to experience the raw energy of a family striving for change in a world on the brink of social upheaval.
Language
en
Duration
~10 hours (589K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Text file produced by Charles Aldarondo HTML file produced by David Widger
Release date
2004-05-01
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1878–1968
Best known for writing The Jungle, he used fiction as a tool for reform, turning outrage over social injustice into page-turning stories. His work helped expose the brutal realities of industrial America and made him one of the most influential muckraking writers of his era.
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