The Jungle

At the start of The Jungle, Ona is around fifteen years old. Jurgis is approximately twenty-six years old, as he spent twenty-five years in Lithuania before coming to America.

Jurgis initially reacts with awe and admiration to the efficiency and mechanization of the meatpacking plant, despite the appalling conditions and lack of hygiene. At this point, he is naive about...

Jurgis initially embraces the American Dream and capitalism, accepting authority and working hard as expected. However, as events unfold, particularly after defending Ona, he confronts the harsh...

In "The Jungle," a dozen family members immigrate from Lithuania to America. This group includes Elzbieta Lukoszaite, known as Aunt, her six children, Jurgis, Ona, Ona's brother Jonas, and Ona's...

Jurgis leaves Packingtown to live as a tramp due to the overwhelming trauma and hardships he faces. Initially, he and his family move to Chicago seeking a better life, but instead encounter brutal...

Jurgis' flashback to life in Lithuania reveals the dire circumstances that forced his family to emigrate to America. After the death of Ona's father, the family incurred debt and lost their farm,...

The wedding scene in The Jungle serves several significant functions. It introduces the main characters and their cultural background, sets the tone of hope and optimism, and contrasts sharply with...

Jurgis decides to control his temper and indignation after the wedding to avoid trouble. He is frustrated by the guests cheating his family out of money and the bar owner providing lower-quality...

Jurgis struggles to protect his family from harm, largely due to systemic challenges within the capitalist system depicted in The Jungle. Despite his efforts to "work harder," the odds are stacked...