Poor White

Set against the stark backdrop of a struggling Missouri town on the Mississippi River, the story follows Hugh McVey, born into a bleak environment characterized by unproductive land and a defeated populace. The community, known as "Mudcat Landing," is marked by its impoverished merchants and artisans who struggle to survive, while the only thriving businesses are the saloons, which profit from the townsfolk's desperate need for alcohol to cope with their hardships. This setting highlights themes of despair and resilience in the face of adversity.