Christ in Concrete, by Pietro di Donato, tells the story of a boy named Paul who struggles to support his mother after his father dies in a construction accident. Paul is the oldest son in a family of Italian immigrants, hardworking people and devout Catholics who find it difficult to maintain their faith in a country fueled by Capitalist ideals. When Paul’s father, Geremio, dies in a horrific accident at work, Paul takes his father’s place and assumes the role of family supporter. Paul works tirelessly in unsafe and oppressive conditions, but his life is a constant struggle, and his family is starving. Angry and depressed, Paul seeks help and guidance from the church. When the priest, Father John, tells him that the church can do nothing to help him, Paul begins to see the hypocrisy of the Catholic religion and begins to question his faith.

Paul plods on, nevertheless, despite his mental anguish over the death of his father and the growing realization that he will never be able to support for his family as he feels that he should. He works in a couple of jobs that are physically demanding and mentally destructive. Then the Great Depression hits, and things get worse. His friends and family members take what work they can get, and many are injured or die on their jobs. As Paul processes what is happening around him, he loses his faith in God and abandons his religion. Once Paul understands that the Church, as an institution, fails to provide for his physical and spiritual needs, capitalism replaces Catholicism as the driving force in his life.