The following paper examines Whyte's understanding of poverty, socialization, social
inequality and subcultures. This paper
also reflects on the
communities studied by Whyte and examines the way in which social
inequality serves as the main cause of failure to achieve society's goals. From the paper: "Although it was first published over fifty years ago, the ideas and themes contained in Street Corner Society are just as important today as they were in the 1940's, and it still features highly in the reading lists of many sociological courses. .By putting his own life on hold, in order to enter and become accepted by a community of Italian-American immigrants in Boston, the author William Whyte was able to become a part of their world and write about real people and their real lives."