An immigrant is given the lowdown on the tough Five Points neigborhood in Civil War era New York City.

Artists and writers in the 19th century shift their work to a new art style, realism.

The Eds set up a makeshift city, and the kids from the cul-de-sac express their impressions of city life. Once in the city, they start embodying stereotypical urban life.

This clip gives a glimpse into the life of a family living in an urban slum in Brooklyn during the Industrial Revolution. Francie and Neely, along with the other kids in the area, bring junk to sell to Carney in order to earn a few extra cents. The family uses as a bank a milk can in one of their closets.

Young newspaper sellers express in song their ambitions in an industrializing, urbanizing America. Some of their desires are for ordinary objects.