Chicago

This novel is set chiefly in Chicago in the early 1900s. The city at this time is overflowing with working people looking for work. There are many factories in the city where men line up at the gates in search of work each morning. There are also slum neighborhoods as well as neighborhoods filled with wealthy, luxurious homes. The author explores the contrast between these neighborhoods when he takes Jurgis, who has been homeless for a few weeks, and allows him to visit the home of Mr. Jones, a packer.

Packingtown

Packingtown is a section of Chicago where the packing houses are located. It is in this part of the city that Jurgis and his family settle when they first arrive in Chicago in hopes of making their fortunes in the packing houses. Unfortunately, it is also here that the family is swindled into buying a house with...