Response to Chapters 1-3 of The Jungle

While reading chapter 1, I felt happy that Jurgis and Ona were getting married. I also felt excited because they were in America with a fresh new start. One question I had was, Why did some guests take advantage of the wedding reception? I believe they did this because times were tough and people wanted free food and drink. Also, I think that the guests were depressed over their finances so they needed an escape by drinking and being disruptive. In the book, Ona realizes a lot of people aren't contributing and she becomes frightened over the cost of her wedding and how she will ever pay for it. I liked this chapter because it was easy to understand and the storyline really flowed.

While reading chapter 2, I felt horrible that Ona's family was in debt after her father died. Also, I felt hopeful that coming to America would help Ona, Jurgis and their extended family by providing with higher paying jobs. One question I had was, why did Jokubas lie to them about making a fortune in America? I believe he lied because he didn't want to disappoint them. Also, he wanted them to think that he was more successful than them. I felt very sad when the author described the boardinghouse because they were overcrowded and contained a horrible smell of animal flesh. When the author explains the neighborhood I wondered if Chicago was going to be a better place for Ona and Jurgis. I disliked this chapter because the author used too much detail to describe both the boardinghouse and the town of Packingtown.

In reading chapter 3, I felt grossed out when Jokabus takes the family to the meat packing plant because the author described the suffering of the animals at the plant. Also, I felt frightened for the workers because they could cut themselves at any point in time. A question I had from this chapter was, how could someone work at this plant under these conditions? I believe that the workers didn't have a choice because they needed money and the plant was a major employer in the area. Also, I think that the workers got used to the conditions after working at the plant for a long time. I disliked this chapter because of the way the author graphically described the meat packing plant and all the statistics that went along with it.