The quote: "My daily life was intimately linked to these people who depended on it - and yet, until my stay in this mine, I did not know nothing about them or their world (2)”, best illustrates the theme that Jean Marie Laskas envisages in her book. Her statement is taken from the introduction to her book Hidden America while she is in a coal mine observing the workers, and she realizes how foreign their work and lives are to her. This quote symbolizes how Laskas plans to use logic and emotions to break down misconceptions and show the trust people have in these characters in his book. Through exposing family attitudes and facts about what really happens in workplaces, Laskas is able to break down common misconceptions about these workers. One aspect seen in “Underworld” is the strength of the familial relationships these miners have with each other. This is a characteristic not normally thought to have in coal miners, but Laskas is able to display it through his life outside of the mine. As the group walks towards the bar, Laskas includes the conversation they had. “Sparky said he would drive him (Kevin) home, where he could just pass out” (31). Laskas shows here how much the miners care for each other. They were ready to take their colleague home to help him stay safe. Sparky even went so far as to say that he would buy Kevin lunch if he stayed (31). This display of generosity connects with the reader because it is like helping a friend. Even though these miners can be harsh on each other, they still look out for each other. It’s a sense of family that they’re building that can contribute to their ability to do their job. "GLORY" is another Laskas chapter...... middle of paper ......rce. The revelation of emotional experiences allows the reader to realize the true characteristics of these workers. This also allows connection to readers. Readers are allowed to make connections to moments in their lives similar to the experiences these workers shared. From this point of view, Laskas shows who these workers really are. The variety of facts included by Laskas creates the reality of these jobs. Common misconceptions are modified by the reality of workers and their environments. It leaves the reader wondering how much they really know about how jobs that make life easier work. In her talk, Laskas explains how she hoped readers could be present in the experience and come away with the wonder of who these workers are and what they actually do..