Jurgis
and Ona, recently arrived in Chicago from Lithuania, have high hopes for a
better life. Both are young, strong, and hardworking, and Jurgis is sure his
strength and work ethic will support a decent life for them and Ona’s family.
At their wedding reception, Jurgis and Ona discover that they are short of
funds to pay the saloonkeeper, as many of their guests have not contributed to
the festivities, as is the custom. The first chapter closes with Jurgis’s
determined declaration that he will work harder to make up the money.
Because
of his youth and physical strength, Jurgis lands a job at a local
slaughterhouse, and initially is thrilled to be part of the ‘marvelous machine’
as he terms the innovations of the enterprise. Indeed, the activities of the
slaughterhouse, hundreds of animals slaughtered every day with each worker
doing the same task over and over until the workers themselves operate like so
many cogs in a great machine seem like a miracle of nature to Jurgis. He does not understand his neighbor Jokubas’s
cynicism about the slaughterhouse, Jurgis is still caught up in the innovation
and his quick hire.
Both
Jurgis and Marija settle into their respective jobs enthusiastically, bringing strong
work ethics and eternal optimism to their grim surroundings. When they visit a
house that they are considering purchasing, the agent talks incessantly and
glosses over the house’s defects, leading the family to purchase the house. The
family is elated with their purchase, also buying furnishings and utensils for
their new home. During all of this,
Jurgis is making new friends and finding differing opinions. He doesn’t
understand yet why the other men hate their work and wish to work at a slower
pace. Jurgis is convinced he can rise and become a skilled worker, that the
quality of his work will facilitate a promotion. Unfortunately, this is just
the first of his errors; for ‘nobody rose in Packingtown by doing good work’. For
indeed, good work is not valued in Packingtown; meat from a pregnant cow or ‘slunk’
meat is still used even though it violates government regulation.
When
reading this account, several things came to mind. First, the incredible optimism
and strength of these immigrants. Just imagine how different our history could
have been if we had embraced these people, made honest work available, work
that utilized the intelligence, goodness, and spirit of these people. How much
better, both for us and them.
I
know more heartbreak is in store for Jurgis and Ona and their story was not an
isolated one.
"Just imagine how different our history could have been if we had embraced these people, made honest work available, work that utilized the intelligence, goodness, and spirit of these people. How much better, both for us and them."
ReplyDeleteThis statement really stuck with me. This is something we still don't do in our Country. We belittle those from other countries and consider them the "enemy". It's really a shame.
This is a great summary of what we read. I was heartbroken for this family too, and that was only after reading a couple of chapters! I'm not sure I have it in me to read the rest. I was so disgusted and disturbed by what we already read.
ReplyDeleteI really admire the work ethic of these immigrants. So far the story reminds me that all white people are European immigrants who probably have a history similar to the characters in the book.
ReplyDeleteThis is a really good summary! I was also very disturbed with what I read, it is very sad!
ReplyDeleteYou had a very well written summary of the first few chapters we read! Your picture depicts exactly what they were describing in the chapters.
ReplyDelete