The Jungle
A Summary and Review of Upton Sinclair's Upton's Sinclair's book portrayed a wide variety of characters to convey his messages. Only one character can be considered a major character, Jurgis Rudkus. The book revolves around Jurgis' life in Packingtown. The supporting characters, transitioned in and out of the story with great frequency. When Jurgis initially arrives in Packingtown from his native Lithuania he can best be described as being large and powerful. He believes in the work ethic to a point of na�vet�. His sole answer to any setback: "I will work harder." Eventually Jurgis learns that no laborer can make enough to be the sole provider for his family. His only recourse is to send ...
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as does Marjia, and various other members of his family. Investing money into a home and life into his job gets a Jurgis no where. Positions of power tend to go only to the corrupted characters. Bribes and kickbacks come as commonly as unemployment and job insecurity. He finally realizes that even a physically strong man, willing to work hard, can be beaten by the system; indeed, the system must defeat and discard him as part of its "progress" through exploitation of people for profits. Eventually his luck runs out and Jurgis is injured upon his the killing beds at the meat packing plant. His foot swells and he has no other recourse but to lay in bed and wait until his foot heals. Ironically, he is free to enjoy the company of his son only when he is laid off from work. In just a few years after immigrating to the country, he is brutalized by circumstances to the point of ruin. His once mighty stature has been reduced to rubble, and looks seedy and wretched. He acts dull and beats ...
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lady Ona and the child dies. After Ona's death in premature childbirth, their son's dies in an accidental drowning while his father is at work. Jurgis then takes to the country as a tramp. Through his journey in the country he gets somewhat rejuvenated, and returns to his old stature. He works when he needs to, and travels and sleeps when he wants. By winter it becomes obvious to him that he can not survive out in the country for the duration of the winter, and is forced to seek work in the city he left behind. He becomes a bum, and drinks extremely heavily. While begging and wandering through the streets he, falls into a bit of luck and meets a young man named Frederick ("Freddie") ...
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The Jungle. (2006, August 26). Retrieved March 26, 2025, from http://www.essayworld.com/essays/The-Jungle/51375
"The Jungle." Essayworld.com. Essayworld.com, 26 Aug. 2006. Web. 26 Mar. 2025. <http://www.essayworld.com/essays/The-Jungle/51375>
"The Jungle." Essayworld.com. August 26, 2006. Accessed March 26, 2025. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/The-Jungle/51375.
"The Jungle." Essayworld.com. August 26, 2006. Accessed March 26, 2025. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/The-Jungle/51375.
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