Vocab
Who's THAT?!
Theme
The beast inside
BNW and The Jungle
100
practicing beggary; (n) one who lives off of begging
Mendicants
100
Who is the main character? Describe their transformation throughout the novel.
Jurgis is a strong, determined individual with a faith in the American Dream of self-betterment, but his health, family, and hopes are slowly destroyed by the miserable working and living conditions in Packingtown.
100
What is the "graft" system? Give one example of graft.
What is an elaborate scheme of cheating, stealing, and exploitation in place by the power figures in the capitalist system of Chicago. They care about profit at all other costs and many other characters suffer because of this. Answers vary.
100
How does Sinclair dehumanize characters in his novel? Give one example.
What is "wild beast in a menagerie"
100
What is a theme addressed in both books? Name one.
American Dream Family Experience (Traditional Family) Corruption/Government Systems Social Darwinism (Classes) Social/Historical Effect & Change Utopia vs. Dystopia
200
What is Magnanimity ?
Extremely liberal and generous of spirit in bestowing gifts
200
What does Ona represent?
The weaker female roles and how they are treated in Packingtown. The ruin of femininity and purity of women and figures in Packingtown.
200
How does Sinclair view "the American Dream"?
It is seen as unattainable, unreal, and merely capitalist propaganda to confuse workers from realizing the truth of their own poverty and limitations. Sinclair is critical of the idea of "the American Dream" and asks his readers to question the legitimacy of this term. The dream comes true only for those who cheat, steal, and hurt others.
200
Why does Sinclair spend so much page space discussing the animal reality of Packingtown? (Why talk about animals so much?) Give one reason.
What is 1) It is used to contrast utopian and dystopian aspects of Chicago 2) It contrasts the line between animal/human, allows us to question the "humane treatment" of workers 3) He is a journalist, animals are a significant force in portraying a truthful account 4) It connects the horror of the death of animal and man alike
200
How do the families of Brave New World and The Jungle contrast?
Answers vary
300
What is intended to attract notice and impress others -- especially with wealth in a vulgar way?
Ostentatious
300
How many children does Teta have?
What is 6 of her own, but 7 including her step-daughter Ona
300
What do the cattle and pig outside the packing plant, waiting for slaughter, symbolize?
A metaphor for the immigrant workers who eagerly look for an opportunity to be a part of Packingtown and the American Dream. The immigrants, like Jurgis, are “herded” into the machinery of capitalism for the slaughter. Their spirits and search for the American Dream will be destroyed and forgotten. The owners of the industry care more about their profits than the health of the workers.
300
Analyze the following line: "They use every part of the hog except for the squeal."
Immigrant workers are compared to the animals. Where all the animals are used for slaughter and every part is used except the squeal, the immigrant workers are used by the factory bosses for all the work they can get out of them, except for their voice and opinions about the work.
300
Name one similarity of both government systems
The government controls everything. The Jungle: worker’s life depend on government BNW: the fate of each person is predestined Government corruption The Jungle: vote buying scheme, tell people who to vote to BNW: says sustainability is important, but it is just an excuse that make people lose their identity Corruptions make foreigners miserable The Jungle: immigrants are exploited by the rich BNW: Bernard takes John back to civil world and use him to earn money and fame. John hates this kind of world. Rebellion/riot The corrupted government cause people to protest
400
What is the definition of deride?
laugh at or make fun of--while showing a lack of respect
400
How is Marija Berczynskas' spirit crushed throughout the novel? What happens to her and how does it change her? Name two things.
At first Marija Berczynskas is strong, vocal, and a hard worker. She tries to stand up against her boss so that she will be compensated for pay they have cheated her, but her stance against the power structure fails and she is out of work. She continually injures herself in more dangerous, more horrible jobs throughout the story. Her once strong relationship with violinist Tamoszius deteriorates as they both become weaker and more decrepit. Finally she is presented as having lost all power and control of her life with her position as a prostitute and drug addiction.
400
Describe one example from the novel that demonstrates how exploitation and economic oppression are cyclical.
Answers vary
400
How is physiology, or this idea of the body, used throughout the novel to support socialism?
What is the physical state/health of the workers is crucial to their survival. As individuals they are powerless, susceptible to cuts and injury, but as a whole (strikes, unions) they are powerful. They are little pieces part of a bigger body, a community. They can come together to force change.
400
How does social Darwinism operate in both texts?
Answers vary Ex. survival of the fittest.
500
What is the definition of melee?
disorganized mass or people; disorganized hand-to-hand combat; rioting
500
Who are Tommy Hinds, and what is his function in the novel? Who is Nicholas Schliemann, and what is his function in the novel?
Tommy-The proprietor of a small Chicago hotel and a well-known proponent of socialism. Jurgis obtains a job as Hinds’s porter not long after his conversion to socialism. Nicholas-A spokesperson for socialism. Nicholas gives a long explanation of socialist philosophy to a magazine editor who has written against socialism in the past. He functions as a mouthpiece for Sinclair’s own political philosophy.
500
Explain the issue of accountability in the novel.
There is none. Officials run rampant with corruption. No one is safe and even the rich are being negatively affected by the lack of accountability because of the sale of diseased meat. Sinclair argues socialism as a way to hold officials and workers accountable. Accountability will bring stability, equality, and change.
500
Describe the predator prey relationship in Packingtown. Does Sinclair support it as a natural phenomenon?
What is Predators are the bosses and corrupt officials (lions) the prey are the immigrant workers (zebras). Sinclair states that this is naturally what will happen if capitalism is left to run wild. It is natural, but not moral for humans. Sinclair argues for the distinction between animal ferocity and human dignity.
500
How does The Jungle portray Chicago as a dystopia AND utopia? Name one example of each.
Dystopia: Wage slavery condition; Trying to gain the most out of the lower class; Filthy working condition; Graft system Utopia: Capitalism = “The best nation in the world” -- High productivity & Large amount of production; Socialism as Utopia = Equality; No class system
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