The authoress presents a very pathetic picture of bangle-makers of Firozabad since they are born in poverty, live in poverty and even die in poverty. They lead a life of trouble, torture, tension, deprivation and poverty and for generations together they have been engaged in this trade. They work in dingy and dark cells sitting before high temperature which often makes them blind before they become adult. They labour very hard at a very little profit.

They live in a small and dingy houses which are called “hovels”. They have crumbling walls, wobbly door and without windows. All the members of the family live in the same house so they are overcrowded with humans and animals. They have their own social customs and traditions. The old man in the house has the authority to do everything. They remain uneducated and poor. They cannot adopt another profession due to interference of the middlemen, money-lenders, politicians and policemen. Due to lack of a tangible and bold leader, they are unable to organize themselves into a cooperative. So they remain poor throughout life and lose the ability to dream. They can talk but do not act to improve their lot.