Bad Working Conditions In The 1800s

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Factory owners sought to control and discipline their workforce through a system of long working hours, fines and low wages. In the early 1800’s, injuries were very common textile mills (Mill Children). Due to bad working conditions mill workers suffered from a lot of sicknesses (Cotton Dust & OSHA).The mill girl’s “normal shifts were usually 12-14 hours a day, with extra time required during busy periods. Workers were often required to clean their machines during their mealtimes” (Factory Life). In the 1840’s, workers experienced bad working conditions; in the novel Lyddie, Lyddie responds to these problems by ignoring them at first, but eventually speaking up.
Lyddie responds to the bad working conditions by ignoring them at first. When Lyddie’s …show more content…

Lyddie realizes “How much longer could Diana last? How much longer could any of them last? I must do something for her” (Lyddie). Diana was sick and pregnant but nobody was helping her out. Lyddie finally thinks of how much Diana had helped her and nobody ever helped Diana and how now the bad working conditions were affecting her. This relates to the claim because it shows how Lyddie starts to think about other people in the factory. When Lyddie and Diana are talking, Lyddie says “How can I help you. Oh Diana, I been so blind-” (Lyddie). Diana tells Lyddie that she is pregnant and that now she has to leave the factory. Lyddie realizes what she let happen to her poor friend just becaseu she didn’t pay attention what the factory was doing to her and all the other girls. This relates to the theme because Lyddie realizes how bad she was and is admitting her mistake. Lyddie also tells Diana “She took a deep breath. I been thinking on signing” (Lyddie). Lyddie takes action for what her friend was for and took her first step to hanging the factory. This relates to the claim because Lyddie takes a stand gainst bad working conditions by signing the petition. Therefore Lyddie realizes she has nothing to lose anymore so she starts to think about the factory and the working

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