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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who is a lousy beggar?

2. What does the new friend do for Jurgis?

3. Who does this person think Packingtown should be in the hands of?

4. Where do the children get food?

5. Where does Jurgis try to get a job?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why doesn't Ona come to the courtroom during Jurgis' sentencing?

2. Why was Jurgis released from prison later than he thought would be?

3. Who is the visitor Jurgis gets in jail?

4. What is the stroke of luck that Jurgis happens upon?

5. Overcome with grief after Ona's death, what does Jurgis do to soothe his sorrows?

6. Where does Jurgis finally find the job that makes him happy, though he does not hold onto it for long?

7. What does Jurgis learn about his family when he asks around?

8. How is the midwife described to the reader?

9. What happens to Jurgis' $100?

10. What does Jurgis decide to do when he can not find any work?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The deaths of the animals is not only shocking, but also horrifying. What do the animals symbolize in this story? What does their treatment have to say about society at this time? Do you really think the meatpacking bosses really just wanted to make a profit, regardless of the horrors? What does this say about these bosses? What does this say about society?

Essay Topic 2

The narrator of the story is Sinclair himself, which gives the story a different tone than most other novels. That said, how do you think Sinclair's narration has affected the story? What does this story say about Sinclair? Do you think the story could have been told more truthfully by Jurgis? What would have happened if the story had been told from the meat packer manager's point of view?

Essay Topic 3

Jurgis could be seen as a mythical tragic hero of the story. However, as with all heroes, he has flaws. What are some of Jurgis' flaws? What are some of his strengths? Do you think he is a hero in the end of the story? Why or why not? How does he affect others? Or is his battle an internal one?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 571 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample