1. Who are the main characters in these chapters? Select the most important one and describe him/her.

In these particular chapters Jurgis Rudkus, Scully, Freddie Jones, and Duane are the main characters.  The most important character in these chapters and basically in the entire play is Jurgis.  Jurgis is a Lithuanian immigrant whose physical strength and "mighty shoulders" are the only features which open the doors for work to support his wife and family.  Jurgis is a determined man who tries to support his family when poverty in Chicago for them has become overwhelming.  He suffers greatly and must live in poverty.

2. Discuss two major conflicts you noticed in these chapters( what are they? How do they develop? Any solution?)

A major conflict that occurs in the se chapters is when Jurgis enters a saloon to get change for a $100 dollar bill.  Prior to entering the saloon, Jurgis had met Freddie.  At the time both men were drunk and Freddie invited Jurgis home with him.  There Freddie gave Jurgis money to survive the streets.  Jurgis was very anxious to have money and immediately wanted to pay for a place to sleep.  But he needed change first.  This brings about the conflict.  The man did not want to give Jurgis change because he thought that he stole it.  Jurgis without thinking attacks the man.  Once again Jurgis is placed behind bars and meets his inmates once more.

A second conflict that takes place is when Jurgis is put in charge of the killing beds and "organizing the Negroes".  He has an incredibly hard time organinzing them.  Like many people during that time period, Jurgis discrimanated againsh them and accepts bribes.

3. What is the major theme in this section (American dream of success, freedom in America, evil  of capitalism, power of the union, corruption, miserable working conditions, etc...)?

The major theme in this section is corruption in the capitalistic society that existed.  Sinclair compares the criminal world with that of the business field due to the similarity in corruption that takes place in both.

4. What details illustrate such a theme?

Such a theme is illustrated in two situations; when Jurgis is in jail and while at work in the killing beds.  While in jail, Jurgis meets many criminals such as Duane and Scully who teach him the inside tricks of the trade.  While at the killing beds he is put in charge.  Although at first he attempted to be professional, he later on became careless.  He accepted bribes from the employers and contributed to the corruption that existed in the work area.

5. How does the subject, work ethic, tie into the section?

The subject of work ethic ties in to the section because we learned of Jurgis's ambitions to get money.  When he saw that he was unskilled and only used for his strength, he lost hope.  This led him to accept bribes and join the jail criminals as accomplices in illegal acts.  Jurgis's vision of success and gaining wealth were obstructed with the corruption that took place in the capitalistic society.  Onece again bringing up the theme of Upton Sinclair's propaganda to establish a socialist society.

6. Do the characters change at the end of the section? How?

The characters did not change very much at the end of the section.  Jurgis continued to use drinking as an escape from reality and corruption in society was deeply influencing him.