Out of This Furnace

Joe is a Greek-Catholic Slovak and George Kracha’s best friend. He is also Dorta’s first husband and Andrei Sedlar’s brother-in-law. Kracha meets Dubik in White Haven, Pennsylvania, and Dubik helps Kracha settle in America. The two men become quick friends and roommates, and, for years, Dubik is the only person to whom Kracha reveals the truth about losing all of his travel money trying to woo Zuska. Dubik and Dorta move to Braddock before the Krachas, and Dubik begins working in the steel mill. When Kracha moves to Braddock, Dubik helps his friend secure a job in the mill. Dubik serves as a moderating influence over Kracha, advising him about work and suggesting that he be more sympathetic to Elena. Dubik’s importance in Kracha’s life makes him a tragic character, as a furnace explosion burns Dubik alive not long after Kracha settles in Braddock. He is the first significant character in the novel killed in the steel mill, and Kracha’s efforts to save his friend’s life by carrying him from the accident scene and bringing him to his home reveal Dubik’s ability to bring out the best in Kracha, who otherwise frequently succumbs to his own selfish impulses.