Sinclair begins the novel with the wedding of Jurgis and Ona Rudkus. Two immigrants from Lithuania who moved to America to pursue the American Dream. We read about the ceremony taking place and how a woman named Marija Berczynskas directs it trying to make everything go accordingly even though the music was a failure. In the beginning we see the traditions and customs for Lithuanians. We get a detailed description of these customs and interactions that take place. One of these customs was to drop money in a hat to pay tribute to the family and help the couple to pay for the ceremony. Many of the guests invited take advantage of the couple and don’t pay and this leaves the couple in debt. Sinclair explores the meatpacking industry in the 1900’s. It scrutinizes the working conditions and sanitation of the meat industry through the life of Jurgis and Ona Rudkus. …show more content…
The novel follows Rudkus And his efforts to support and provide for his family, though ultimately fails. As the whole family joins in helping support themselves they morally and physically start to deteriorate because of the working conditions. These working conditions lead to major events that shape the story of the novel. Sinclair ends the novel with the election. Jurgis’s in the last chapters slowly transitions into a socialist and in the end is seen repeatedly with the socialist party. With the conversion to socialism we are introduced to new characters that are meant to help discuss the aspects and ideology of socialism . Sinclair closes the chapter with a protest and the crowd shouting "Chicago will be ours! CHICAGO WILL BE