Jurgis Family In Upton Sinclair's The Jungle

Words: 1249
Pages: 5

Family plays a large role in both Jurgis and James’ lives. Jurgis’ family starts out relatively big, as he travels to America with his father, Dede Antanas, his wife, Ona, and more than 5 relatives from Ona’s side of the family. “There joined them Marija Berczynskas, who was a cousin of Ona’s” (Sinclair 28), “Ona’s Stepmother” Elzbieta Lukozaite (Sinclair 27), “Her brother” Jonas (Sinclair 27), “Old Dede Antanas…Jurgis’ father” (Sinclair 14), , “Elzbieta had taken Stanislovas to the priest” (Sinclair 75). The family grows as Jurgis has a son of his own, “It was his baby; that it was his and Ona’s…he was wonderfully proud of little Antanas” (Sinclair 110). As for his relationship with his family, Jurgis is very accepting of them and has genuine love for each one. …show more content…
Because of these close relations, Jurgis feels personally responsible for upholding the family financially by working harder, just as James works and feels responsible for his family’s finances. James’ family is considerably smaller than Jurgis’, though he maintains the same level of communication and love. James, as Jurgis, is married, though James’ wife, Mae, is closer in age than Jurgis and Ona. James and his wife have three kids. No extended family members live with them, unlike Jurgis, whom shares a house with all his close family. Though there is already many differences, they widen even further, and again come back to harmony. Times are tough, and Jurgis does his best to shelter the family from reality. He attempts to keep their spirits high, as well as give them