... quite as surely as the cattle in the packing plant. Disease spread by filthy working and living conditions attacks them, they endure cold in winter and clouds of flies in summer, bad food weakens their bodies, and seasonal layoffs leave them always facing starvation. When illness destroys Jurgis's great strength, he realizes that he has become a physical cast-off, one of ... ...

• Word Count: 4457
• Approx Pages: 18
• Grade Level: High School

... and optimism are short-lived with the death of little Antanas. Overcome by grief, Jurgis decides to forget about the family and flees Chicago for the countryside. After spending the summer tramping around enjoying the fresh country air and sunshine, cold weather sends him back to Chicago to once again look for a job. Knowing that he cannot go back to Packingtown ... ...

• Word Count: 2938
• Approx Pages: 12
• Grade Level: High School