The leaven in a great city

** "The Leaven in a Great City" by Lillian W. Betts explores life in New York City's poorest neighborhoods during the turn of the century. It shows the awful living conditions of families crammed into tenements and the efforts to make things better. The narrative spotlights the everyday battles faced by people struggling with poverty, highlighting how it affects not only their homes but also their relationships and who they become. Readers are transported to a time and place where social reformers tried to fix problems like overcrowding and unsanitary conditions, revealing both the caring and neglecting sides of society towards its most vulnerable. **