Ch.+17

Chapter 17 Summary: Jurgis is in jail after hitting his boss. The chapter opens with Sinclair explaining his daily routine-how he is let out for exercise, to wash his cell, and to see visitors. Jurgis meets his new cellmate named Jack Duane. He is known for robbing banks, but since there is no evidence against them-he is in jail for disorderly conduct. Jack Duane was headed to college as an electrical engineer and is from the east coast, he talks to Jurgis over the days that they are in jail together. Duane is the first educated man that Jurgis has met, and he gets tired with the endless stories that Duane tells him. After about a week, Jurgis is brought to court. He explains that he hit his boss because he was sleeping with his wife. The judge does not believe his story and it is ruled that he is to go to another jail to serve 30 days of time. At the new jail that he goes to, Stanislovas comes to visit Jurgis. He explains that because of the snow no one in their family is able to work. Ona is no longer allowed her old job at the meat plant. And Marija’s hand was cut and may have to be amputated-she no longer has any money. Conditions for everyone in his family are very bad. Jurgis cannot really help but gives Stanislovas the fourteen cents that he has to bring back to his family.

Characters: -Jurgis -Jack Duane Key quote: “ [Judge:] ‘Oh, I see. Well, if he made love to your wife, why didn’t she complain to the superintendent or leave the place?’ Jurgis hesitated…he began to explain that they were very poor… ‘So instead you thought you could know him down.’ He turned to the plaintiff, inquiring, ‘Is there any truth in this story, Mr. Connor?’ ‘Not a particle, your honor,’ said the boss. ‘It is very unpleasant-they tell some such tale every time you have to discharge a woman’”(177).