Jurgis Rudkus And The American Dream

Throughout the United States’ evolution from a newly-formed country just emerging in the world of global politics to a democratic superpower positioned at the center of the world’s attention, the American Dream has remained an integral part of the country’s complex social environment. For many, the American Dream has served as powerful incentive to accomplish great and wondrous things unachievable in other nations. For others, it encourages strong values and the pursuit of self-improvement. While the American Dream exists predominantly as a quixotic pride of society for American citizens all over the country, its inspiration also extends to the millions of those who have immigrated to the United States seeking the equality and prosperity which

In his country, the government was thought of “as an affliction like the lightning and the hail” (Sinclair, 1906, p.104), which encourages Jurgis to flee to the United States as an escape from the crushing grip the government possesses on him and his family. However, the America Jurgis believes he is transporting his family to is a highly romanticized paradise, where hard work is rewarded and the government is seen as a helpful friend. It is his belief that the government in America is the virtual antithesis of the Lithuanian government; Jurgis believes the Lithuanian government only takes from his family and provides none of his basic needs, whereas he hopes in America he will be well compensated for his hard work and be able to make a difference in his family’s lives. This ends up being a gross exaggeration and as Jurgis soon finds out, the government in America is just as corrupt as Lithuania’s. Those of wealth and political status own the city of Chicago, and care only for the money their numerous illegal activities impart unto them. Despite his optimistic outlook, Jurgis is repeatedly taken advantage, sometimes in ways he doesn’t even realize exist. The political scene in Chicago is where Jurgis finally begins to become disillusioned with a small piece of his Dream, as he is manipulated into voting for a local

Jurgis, for example, takes a position at Brown’s slaughterhouse, where he often must wait for meat to arrive before he can begin and work well past when he should retire home. These broken hours are complete losses for Jurgis and his fellow workers, who must endure grueling conditions during their long work days, such as standing all day in pools of blood from the slaughtered carcasses. Nonetheless, Jurgis’ initial reaction to his fellow worker’s complaint is disdainful, as he believes he must work harder to earn better conditions and pay (Sinclair, 1906, pp. 60-72). However, as the weeks pass, he begins to see the horrors that the slaughterhouse plays delightful host to. The equipment is very dangerous, sometimes even faulty, accompanied by minimal safety precautions. This leads to loss of limb and disappearances becoming quite common occurrences to hear about, and causes any reader to seriously question the quality and constitution of meat products manufactured in Chicago around the turn of the century. Again, Jurgis only begins to grow disenchanted in his pursuits after time has worn on his morale. During the winter, a more prevalent sense of desperation and need at home is paralleled with increased risks and dangers for the working members of the family. The rest of the family begins to feel the abuse all workers in Packingtown experience, leading to a slow,