The Struggles of Jurgis in Chapter 21 of The Jungle

❗Jurgis' desperation leads him to search for any work and scavenge for food in a dump.

🏢A settlement worker offers temporary assistance to Jurgis' family by providing food and finding a job for him at the steel mills downtown.

👨‍👩‍👦Jurgis finds hope in his son's progress and his ability to support him.

💔Tragedy strikes when Jurgis' son falls into a flooded street and is killed.

🌐The chapter reflects the efforts to improve the conditions for the poor, but reveals the challenges of systemic issues and the limitations of individual actions.

How does Jurgis survive during this time?

—Jurgis survives by searching for work and relying on the help of a settlement worker who provides food and finds him a job at the steel mills.

What impact does the settlement worker have on Jurgis' family?

—The settlement worker briefly improves their lives by providing food and finding Jurgis a job, but it is only a temporary relief from their inevitable struggle.

What tragedy befalls Jurgis' family?

—Jurgis' son falls into a flooded street and drowns, highlighting the harsh realities of poverty and the dangers of their circumstances.

What message does Sinclair convey through this chapter?

—Sinclair emphasizes the need for systemic change to address the evils of capitalism and social inequality, as individual acts of kindness are not enough to solve the underlying issues.

What does the chapter reveal about the struggles of the poor?

—The chapter shows the daily struggles the poor face, including hunger, dangerous working conditions, and the constant threat of their dire circumstances.

00:04Jurgis is desperate and destitute, prowling the streets in search of work.

00:13One of Teta Elzbieta's sons salvages food from a dump to survive.

00:17A settlement worker helps Jurgis' family by providing food and finding him a job at the steel mills.

00:26Jurgis finds hope in his son's progress and their precious time together.

00:31Jurgis' son tragically dies after falling into a flooded street.

00:39The chapter highlights efforts to improve conditions for the poor, but also the limitations of individual actions.

01:44The settlement worker's assistance only offers temporary relief from the family's struggle.

01:56Sinclair conveys the need for systemic change to address the underlying issues of poverty and inequality.