What glimpse of poverty and desperation do we get in this chapter

In Chapter One of The Jungle, we meet a young couple on their wedding day. They can little afford the bills the wedding will demand, but friends from the community help them as best they can. Many of their neighbors are out of work, younger neighbors don't see the necessity of paying their way (they've forgotten or not been taught tradition). In order to put his wife's fears to rest, he promises to work harder.