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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. How far away is Jurgis' new job?

2. Why is Jurgis turned down for the job in #111?

3. Where does the person in #164 take Jurgis?

4. When Jurgis is at his court date, who does not come to see him?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Jurgis response to the news of Antanas' death?

2. What caused little Antanas' death?

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

4. What does Jurgis learn about Marija's whereabouts?

5. When Jurgis goes back to Chicago for the summer, where does he find employment?

6. Is Jurgis successful in getting the rest of the family converted to socialism?

7. How far away is Jurgis' new job?

8. Where does Jurgis next get a job at, that turns out to be a good position?

9. What does Jurgis have complete faith in by the end of the story?

10. Where does the drunk young man take Jurgis?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

The depressing surroundings are horrendous to live in as the family begins to find work in Chicago. Describe this setting and why it's so deplorable. How does the house affect the family? What are some things that occur as a result of the living conditions? Should this house have been inhabited by people? Why or why not?

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)

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