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They say they was paying two dollars a day but when we got there they say a dollar fifty. Then they say we got to pay two dollars room and board. They sent us over to a place the man say we got to put two dollars on top of that. Then he put two men to a room with one bed. […] I asked one fellow what board meant. He say they supposed to give you something to eat. They ain’t give us nothing. I say okay. I can’t make them give me nothing. What I’m gonna do? I got to eat. I bought a loaf of bread for a dime. A bowl of soup cost ten cents around the corner. I wasn’t desperate. I had sixty-five cents to make it payday. I ate half the bread and say I would get a bowl of soup tomorrow. Come payday they give me three dollars say the rest go on my bill. I had to give the man what own the house two dollars. What I’m gonna do, Miss Tyler? I told the people at the mill I was gonna get another job. They said I couldn’t do that ’cause I still owed them money and they was gonna get the police on me. I was gonna go to another city but then before I had a chance I killed a man.

Explanation and Analysis:

In his first conversation with Aunt Ester, Citizen Barlow talks about how he ran into trouble after arriving in Pittsburgh. More specifically, he sheds light on the mill’s exploitative practices, explaining that his employers promised to pay hi...

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Original

Romeo

(aside) She speaks.
O, speak again, bright angel! For thou art
As glorious to this night, being o’er my head,
As is a winged messenger of heaven
Unto the white, upturnèd, wondering eyes
Of mortals that fall back to gaze on him
When he bestrides the lazy-puffing clouds
And sails upon the bosom of the air.

Juliet

O Romeo, Romeo! Wherefore art though Romeo?
Deny they father and refuse they name.
Or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love,
And I’ll no longer be a Capulet.

Modern

Romeo

(to himself) She speaks. Speak again, bright angel! For tonight you are as glorious, there up above me, as a winged messenger of heaven who makes mortals fall onto their backs to gaze up with awestruck eyes as he strides across the lazy clouds and sails through the air.

Juliet

O Romeo, Romeo! Why must you be Romeo? Deny your father and give up your name. Or, if you won’t change your name, just swear your love to me and I’ll give up being a Capulet.

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