I think the writer used simple words or words I already know, so it was not too difficult for me to read. The main character, John, was a chemist and works for a painting factory. He knew they flows the dangerous chemical into the river- he saw rats babies with no legs, no arms, or two heads, but he could do anything about that - he suggested his boss to put a machine for clean the chemical water, but his boss disagreed it and threated him to fire him. Ironically his pregnant daughter was almost drown by the river so he had to admit it.