Mark Manning's Mission: The Story of a Shoe Factory Boy

"Mark Manning's Mission: The Story of a Shoe Factory Boy", by Horatio Alger, Jr., chronicles a young boy's journey through hardship and honesty in the world of early 20th-century industry. The book introduces us to Mark Manning, a shoe factory worker, his widowed mother, and his relationships with boys from different social standings. While enjoying a simple hunting trip, themes of class and moral character are introduced when Mark shows compassion for a hermit named Anthony, setting him on a path where challenges emerge from his social and economic conditions. When a hawk is spotted, a competition begins between the boys, where Mark unexpectedly catches the raptor, much to the irritation of one of the boys who comes from a wealthier background.