129 Comments
Gage Gamboa
10/18/2013 12:29:03 pm
Connection: I chose to write about the Habit of Heart “connection”. I do not imply a personal connection to the text, but rather how the characters within the passage connect with each other. While Tamoszius (the five-foot violinist) plays his passionate musical pieces at the "veselja", the guests of the weddings all have emotional responses to his performance. They fondly recall childhood memories and old friendships. I interpreted that passage as a demonstration of the wedding guests’ connections through their native music. The wedding is mainly composed of Polish immigrants and the music acts as a shared connection to their homeland for all of them.
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Paris Gramann
10/19/2013 03:52:15 am
That was neat how you didn't connect to yourself, but instead found connections within the text. Do you predict that their culture will be preserved throughout the book? How?
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Trey Lewis
10/19/2013 03:55:21 am
Wow Gage! That was a piece of the book that I didn't think of in that way. I would agree with what your saying though. I think the "veselja" was a huge reminder of the past and previous location for a lot of these people.
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Ryan Martinez
10/20/2013 03:39:33 am
I would have to agree with Trey at this. I completely missed on that, and never thought of what you said until now. Props to you!
Trevin Kraus
10/20/2013 10:07:05 am
That was a very unique connection. I really enjoyed the angle you took.
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Alura
10/20/2013 10:24:24 am
Wow, this is a very interesting and strong personal connection you seem to have!
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Katie Cooke
10/20/2013 11:20:42 am
That was an interesting connection you made that I didn't even see. Great job.
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Jordan Garcia
10/20/2013 03:42:39 pm
I completely agree with you, I saw more of a connection amongst the people at the " veselija " than I did with myself when they cheered for Tamoszius's music. I stated that this music is their tradition and their tradition is their past.
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Justin Walker
10/18/2013 03:48:51 pm
"One never saw the fields, nor any green thing whatever, in Packingtown; but one could go out on the road and "hobo it", as the men phrased it, and see the country, and have a long rest, and an easy time riding on the freight-cars." This is a textbook example of perception as it showcases how one's perception can easily change due to atmosphere. Earlier in the chapter, inner Chicago was described as being smoggy and grey, inviting a comparison between the fresh countryside and the filthy city.
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Justin Walker
10/20/2013 03:21:31 am
Done goofed, submitted early. Thought I was saving a post.
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Crystal
10/20/2013 12:15:04 pm
The quote you chose was really spot on with your HOHAM. I love the detail you put into your description and how you thoroughly examined it.
Mrs. Clark
10/18/2013 04:04:15 pm
Justin your response needs to be a healthy paragraph and perception is not one of the HOHAM's :)
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Paris Gramann
10/19/2013 03:47:23 am
“... men who for six or seven months in the year never see the sunlight from Sunday afternoon till the next Sunday morning-- and who cannot earn three hundred dollars in a year.”
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Trey Lewis
10/19/2013 03:58:29 am
I think that's really cool how they kept theirs heads up and tried to look on the positive side. I also think it's cool how you included self-advoacy in such a different way.
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Michelle
10/19/2013 04:53:03 am
You really captured the gist of why so many people risked all they had to achieve their "American Dream", yet there was a deep desire to retain certain aspects of their home country.
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Andrew Ledezma
10/19/2013 06:38:36 am
I completely agree and I think that unlimited potential plays into the book in sort of a twisted way. The "pull factor" of America is unlimited potential, and thats what drew immigrants there, but that seemed a false promise to many as you mention in your entry. Great work!
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Tess Herzog
10/19/2013 03:59:07 pm
I think your description of the "American Dream" is spot on. I really like how you question what the goal is of working long hours with little pay. It made me wonder if life really was better for them in America or if they were just trying to keep food on the table once they got here.
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Julz Valencia
10/20/2013 11:49:30 pm
I agree with what Tess has said. The way that you question what the emigrants are there for in the first place makes you really think about it, and wonder if they ever will achieve this "American Dream".
Ysabella Dawson
10/20/2013 04:22:26 am
I think that what you brought up was very interesting, especially how they struggled through all the bitterness and hard work to try to achieve the American Dream. The characters from Lithuania thought that their lives would be significantly better once they came to America, but they were not expecting that they would have to struggle and fight to achieve their dream.
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Crystal Delgado
10/20/2013 12:13:40 pm
I agree with Bella on this, the points you brought up were really interesting and it really makes the right connections.
Captain Barboza
10/20/2013 06:43:30 am
I strongly agree with Tess on this. These newcomers have definitely kept their heads up but at the same time pondered what was to come next. They were undergoing poor conditions that caused illness and even not fully accepted by the ones already living in America.
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Malia M.
10/20/2013 02:03:28 pm
I totally agree with you. To these immigrants, the "American Dream" was little more than a hopeful idea and maybe even a lie. Their quality of life, voice for change, and options for the future were so limited.
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Trey Lewis
10/19/2013 03:51:39 am
Perspective: I decided to do perspective because it appears in the book quite often. The main perspective revolves around lifestyle. The way these immigrates are being treated looks awful to most people modern-day, although people back then, for example Jurgis, think the working conditions are fine and enjoy the chance to be able to get a wage. The other perspective comes from the eye of the business owner. They at the time loved that workers would do so much for so little because they didn't know the difference.
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Paris Gramann
10/19/2013 03:59:26 am
How would you compare the working situations from back then (like what you talked about) to modern day?
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Paris Gramann
10/19/2013 03:59:36 am
How would you compare the working situations from back then (like what you talked about) to modern day?
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Andrew Ledezma
10/19/2013 06:43:20 am
I think that Jurgis's willingness to work struck me because in the modern day, the working conditions seem atrocious, but Jurgis's mindset was to only look forward. Awesome journal entry!
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Tyler
10/20/2013 09:46:07 am
I agree with you Trey! When I was reading this book I also thought that the immigrants were being treated terribly, but now that I think about, people back then thought it was completely normal.
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Andrew Ledezma
10/19/2013 06:33:15 am
“So America was a place of which lovers and young people dreamed. If one could only manage to get the price of a passage, he could count his troubles at an end.”
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Salina Brice
10/20/2013 08:57:39 am
I like how you connected the book to the presentations were doing in class, I would like to hear more on why you see the connections.
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Alexus Seymour
10/21/2013 04:30:38 am
i agree with you salina, im intrusted in what you have to say about your connections
Ryan Novak
10/19/2013 03:16:26 pm
Perspective: Upton Sinclair does something very interesting by talking about this group of European immigrants as a strong community, albeit possessing issues, but overall just a group of people just wanting to make a better life for themselves while preserving their culture. By doing this and showing the rich sense of community and sharing present in the people he is creating a sense of sympathy that wasn't altogether popular at the time the book was published. This perspective humanizes the people that have been looked down upon by all non-immigrants, in the process beginning the destruction of the stereotypes that accompany immigrants in early 19th century America.
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Tess Herzog
10/19/2013 04:23:10 pm
I like how you bring up the point that giving immigrants a good image at the time this book was published was not popular. It really makes me think about what he was trying to achieve at the time he published this book. In present day, it teaches about the conditions for immigrants in the past, but when published, it could have been Sinclair's attempt at pushing for equality.
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Max Klein
10/20/2013 09:00:16 am
I also liked how Sinclair chose to highlight the immigrants in a somewhat positive way, but I never thought about how he was one of the only people depicting non-americans in a good way
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John Engel
10/20/2013 04:37:44 pm
I like how you bring up he is saying how immigration is a good thing because they just want a fresh start and a new life while preserving their culture.
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Tess Herzog
10/19/2013 03:51:14 pm
“There are learned people who can tell you out of the statistics that beef-boners make forty cents an hour, but, perhaps, these people have never looked into a beef-boner’s hands”
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Karen Barragan
10/19/2013 06:39:32 pm
I really liked how you were able to connect it to more than one HOHAM and show the different themes going on in the book. Also, I really liked how to portrayed the American Dream towards the end.
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Justin Walker
10/20/2013 03:26:02 am
Your discussion of these beef-boners is an excellent summary of the dilemma presented to the regular factory workers. I drew comparisons from it to Australian rock miners, as their work site fatality rate is one in eleven people dying due to assorted hazards. However, they are paid over 250 grand annually due to the danger of the job. I think that shows how this quandary of "better hob, higher risk" is still prevalent in modern day.
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Carly
10/20/2013 05:21:57 am
Great point. It completely relates to ignorance on many levels, because anyone can look at how much a person makes and say "Oh, you're lucky, you make so much money", but they will take it no further. Just because they made a certain amount in money does not show how much they paid for it.
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Karen Barragan
10/19/2013 06:37:34 pm
Quote:
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Erik Salazar
10/20/2013 02:53:13 am
I believe that people in that era became self centered not because they enjoyed to have money but because it was the only way to stay alive. It was a survival of the fittest trying to keep your employment, rent and supporting your immediate family that you could not risk spending money on something that was not a necessity.
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Meilani A
10/20/2013 03:14:10 am
I thought the connection you made was very relevant, especially to times now. I think that those that struggled financially contributed the most because they knew of the struggle. I also agree that some people are still compassionate even if they are struggling themselves because they've been there.
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Ysabella Dawson
10/20/2013 04:17:32 am
I think that the point you brought up can be very relevant to our society today, because people tend to cling to whatever money they have and only donate what they feel they are required to. I think that what you said about the people who are the poorest ended up giving the most money was interesting as well, because it just shows how much more selfless the people who are in the deepest need are, while the people who were better off were significantly more selfish, despite having much more to give.
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Xochitl Aguinaga
10/20/2013 04:56:16 pm
I found it interesting how you connected the book to modern day society.You say that selfishness is a problem in our society, would you atribute that to capitalism?
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Rachel M.
10/20/2013 01:27:39 am
“Little one," he said, in a low voice, "do not worry—it will not matter to us. We will pay them all somehow. I will work harder."
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Erik Salazar
10/20/2013 02:47:53 am
You have a great analysis of the mentality behind Jurgis but I think this goes past Jurgis. Almost all immigrants came to work hard and hoping to create a life for themselves. They were not going to give up so easily on their dreams.
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Meilani A
10/20/2013 03:04:38 am
Intellectual Curiosity: I think that Jurgis exemplifies intellectual curiosity when dealing with various pitfalls of the American society. He has heard of its traps, but it doesn't deter him from exploring what America can offer. In a world where mostly everything is not in his native tongue, but in a language he speaks little of, he has to think very critically when it comes to legal matters, such as buying their house, and even asking copious amounts of questions to lawyers about these things. A small miss step can cost them in this new world yet he still strives to embody hope for his family as he says 'I will work harder'. In these words he endeavors to work for the ideal that in America, if you work hard, you can make something. Despite the horribly frightening prices of everything he is always trying to seek a solution.
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Justin Walker
10/20/2013 03:31:01 am
You cover a large quantity of content within this paragraph while still remaining concise, which is excellent. However, I do have a question: how would you say that Jurgis is trying to be intellectually curious for finding solutions to his family's problems if he is described earlier as simply deluding himself into believing that America still is a land of hope? It seems that he is still clinging desperately onto the idea of the American dream and thinks that working harder is a surefire way to earn money.
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Erik Salazar
10/20/2013 03:10:35 am
"Jurgis and Ona were not thinking of the sunset, however--their backs were turned to it, and all their thoughts were of Packingtown, which they could see so plainly in the distance."
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Adrian Schnepp
10/20/2013 08:23:49 am
And excellent observation.
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Adrian Schnepp
10/20/2013 08:24:02 am
And excellent observation.
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Adrian Schnepp
10/20/2013 08:24:56 am
And excellent observation.
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Adrian Schnepp
10/20/2013 08:25:01 am
And excellent observation.
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Jack Walker
10/20/2013 10:11:28 am
I think this is also a symbol for how they are about to live their "new" lives in the US. They are ignoring the sun, and looking towards Packingtown, as if dismissing nature for an industrial sustenance.
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Ryan Martinez
10/20/2013 03:37:49 am
Perspective: I choose to do perspective, because I would have to say the main perspective is the lifestyle. I would have to say that this book shows you how different things are for workers, as to compared to the bosses. As for the workers would do so much work and get underpaid for the "sweatshop work" they're doing.
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Ysabella Dawson
10/20/2013 04:13:26 am
“A little way beyond was another great hole, which they had emptied and not yet filled up. This held water, and all summer it stood there, with the near-by soil draining into it, festering and stewing in the sun; and then, when winter came, somebody cut the ice on it, and sold it to the people of the city. This, too, seemed to the newcomers an economical arrangement; for they did not read the newspapers, and their heads were not full of troublesome thoughts about 'germs.'”
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Carly
10/20/2013 05:13:52 am
I competely agree, and reacted the same way to this passage, but more so to the one just before it, where it was talking about the trash-filled hole, where the children were raking it. It disgusted me, that they thought that this was efficient, with no unhealthy consequences. It really does show how far we've come in only a little over a hundred years
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Meranda Knowles
10/20/2013 05:31:56 am
I think you are completely right that perspective has changed over time. The current view of germs and what was hygienic and what wasn't is completely different that what we think now. Great job reflecting on this!
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Katie
10/20/2013 11:24:16 am
This whole section just got to me. It was horrifying to think that was if not acceptable, normal, within this society and that sends chills down my spine to think of where I would be in that kind of society at the time. (Did that make as much sense as it did in my head)
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Grady Gumner
10/20/2013 01:41:01 pm
You bring up an interesting point, saying that someone trying to sell something below the standard wouldn't make a cent. I would like to hear your opinion on fast food restaurants who, despite evidence and claims of filthy conditions, still make billions of dollars a year.
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Lance Shuler
10/20/2013 04:44:53 am
Evidence: The book the jungle starts off with a celebration party after Ona Lukoszaite and Jurgis Rudkus. Many guests take advantage of them and leave without contributing to the food and drinks they ate or drank. After this, they notice how much money they were losing. Jurgis volunteers to get all of the money back, and decides to go and work. This is evidence to how bad the job market was back then. People were so poor, that money had a higher value back then. They may have had to cheat them out to help their families, and it’s unfair for them to do that, but it’s something that had to be done. It’s kinda sad that people were willing to do this though, and really disappointing that it came to that point, where money was worth more than friendship and family, and helping people out.
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Hayes Sherr
10/20/2013 05:35:27 pm
I agree with you Lance, people back then seem like some people now. It's sad seeing friendships disappear for stupid reasons. I think it's good that Jurgis wanted to help get money, that's a true friend.
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Rilind
10/20/2013 04:55:00 am
Perspective: There were so many different perspectives in this books. The immigrants, the rich, the poor, and the workers. It was very interesting how the immigrants acted (at least i thought) towards each other, and the wedding thing was so different than what you would see today. Also, when I read about the workers and the conditions they were put in I was surprised a bit- I knew the conditions were bad but not that bad. The point of view for the workers is that they are getting paid and they are happy they will be able to put dinner on the table, even though it is sketchy. “It was one of the laws of the veselija that no one goes hungry” I liked this quote because it shows their caring roots.
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Grady Gumner
10/20/2013 01:45:25 pm
What did you expect the conditions at the packing facilities to be like? I know many people were surprised about the cruelties and grimy conditions at the packing facilities but I would be interested to know what your preconceived ideas of the conditions were.
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Carly
10/20/2013 05:10:45 am
"It is plain," they would answer to this, "that you have come from the country, and from very far in the country."
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Meranda Knowles
10/20/2013 05:38:42 am
I think you did a great job of reflecting on their differing perspectives, I especially like the line you used "I think it is a very clear picture of separation of ignorance and experience." I think that very clearly states the point you were trying to make about their differences in perspective.
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Captain Barboza
10/20/2013 06:50:00 am
Not only is this a great perspective POV but it could also be an excellent example of Self-Advocacy. And you're correct with the perspective parts. There are many different characters to look through the eyes of (at least in my opinion). And analyzing the perspective of the characters as well as the educated guesses you had were really interesting to read through, as I was able to see your perspective of their perspectives and not only my own.
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Salina
10/20/2013 09:01:46 am
I really like how in depth you go on Jurgises perspective and that you added in what others opinions are on the way he acts.
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Meranda Knowles
10/20/2013 06:21:03 am
"t employed thirty thousand men; it supported directly two hundred and fifty thousand people in its neighborhood, and indirectly it supported half a million. It sent its products to every country in the civilized world, and it furnished the food for no less than thirty million people!"
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Adrian Schnepp
10/20/2013 08:16:41 am
Yes, it does matter the way you look at it. Did they treat the workers horribly? Yes. Did they sell quality produce? No. Did they make a living off the murder and exploitation of thousands of cute farm animals? Most definitely.
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Halee Robinson
10/21/2013 12:55:53 am
I absolutely understand what you are saying and you are completely correct. However, if we think of it only from the perspective of an immigrant in need of work, the slaughter house IS in fact something spectacular. It may not be sanitary, it may not pay well, but it is employment, and it keeps the families of 50,000 people supported.
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Captain Barboza
10/20/2013 06:35:13 am
Perspective: While reading these chapters, I've come to learn about the couple's troubles they had to endure, whether it was their customers refusing to pay their bills or being mistreated because they were outsiders. While I haven't experienced something such as what the couple went through, I can image being in their perspective of things. Moving to a new land to find a new home with my lover, so far all we have is each other and hoping for the best.
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Adrian Schnepp
10/20/2013 08:08:04 am
"Of these older people many wear clothing reminiscent in some detail of home--an embroidered waistcoat or stomacher, or a gaily colored handkerchief, or a coat with large cuffs and fancy buttons. All these things are carefully avoided by the young, most of whom have learned to speak English and to affect the latest style of clothing."
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Jack Walker
10/20/2013 10:03:20 am
I really appreciate that you chose this quote, it also stuck out to me. Not only do I think it is about the "Americanization" of the new generation, but also one of the links morphing society into what is seen as modern lifestyle.
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Cole Sargent
10/20/2013 03:14:04 pm
I also noticed this separation between the young and old immigrants, and it made me question if being more well-connected with American culture gave these people more access to jobs, or some kind of advantage over their older counterparts. To be sure, hanging around Americans and taking on their "fashion" must have had some kind of effect on their English skills. I remember a certain place in this book where Jurgis was tricked out of his house by signing an agreement which he couldn't read or understand.
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Salina Brice
10/20/2013 08:25:54 am
"Leave it to me; leave it to me. I will earn more money--I will work harder."- chapter 1
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Sophia C.
10/20/2013 11:33:00 am
When I read that quote I immediately thought of Boxer from Animal Farm, always saying "I will work harder" or the like. he was also always full of hope and believed unfailingly in the idea of this new world.
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Malia M.
10/20/2013 01:59:31 pm
I also thought of Boxer's hope from Animal Farm. I hope Jurgis doesn't get worn down and beat in the system. I don't want him to die like Boxer did.
Rachel Deaton
10/20/2013 11:39:25 am
I completely agree with you. I am so surprised that he is so positive. I am glad that he is trying to make Ona happy with the working harder for money. He seems like a great fellow who will make it in this change from where he came to Chicago.
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Julz Valencia
10/21/2013 12:02:20 am
I think that perspective was a great choice for a habit of mind. I can see how the perspective they initially had when they wanted to travel to America could change once they got there and realized what it would be like.
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Max Klein
10/20/2013 08:55:38 am
Compassion; The first habit I thought of while reading the first two chapters of The Jungle was compassion. During this time of celebration, I noticed that all of the immigrants were connected by a unified feeling of happiness that they had towards the bride and groom. People participated in the activities willingly, and congratulated the bride and groom on multiple occasions. The part that stuck out to me the most was when all of the guests linked hands and listened to the musicians play, and even though they played poorly, the quest enjoyed the music thoroughly and had a good time. They seemed to care less about the everyday struggles they were faced with, and more about celebrating the marriage of two young people.
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Trevin Kraus
10/20/2013 10:04:23 am
I noticed the same things you did Max. I feel that often times in modern society we get to caught up in are own problems and take out our emotions out on other people. In the book people completely forgot about their problems and enjoyed the time they could with family and friends.
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Alura Polese
10/20/2013 10:23:25 am
I notice this as well, as going on what trevin said. Sometimes we take things for granite nowadays, the people join hands in a community of not the matter of perfection but a matter of family and a strong community
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Tyler Felix
10/20/2013 09:41:20 am
"Jurgis was like a boy, a boy from the country. He was the sort of man the bosses like to get hold of, the sort they make it a grievance they cannot get hold of. When he was told to go to a certain place, he would go there on the run. When he had nothing to do for the moment, he would stand round fidgeting, dancing, with the overflow of energy that was in him."
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Tyler
10/20/2013 09:43:02 am
I meant to put air quotes over "kid" in the second sentence.
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Jack Walker
10/20/2013 09:47:28 am
"It is very imprudent, it is tragic—but, ah, it is so beauti- ful! Bit by bit these poor people have given up every- thing else; but to this they cling with all the power of their souls—they cannot give up the veselija! To do that would mean, not merely to be defeated, but to acknowl- edge defeat—and the difference between these two things is what keeps the world going. The veselija has come down to them from a far-off time; and the meaning of it was that one might dwell within the cave and gaze upon shad- ows, provided only that once in his lifetime he could break his chains, and feel his wings, and behold the sun; pro- vided that once in his lifetime he might testify to the fact that life, with all its cares and its terrors, is no such great thing after all, but merely a bubble upon the surface of a river, a thing that one may toss about and play with as a juggler tosses his golden balls, a thing that one may quaff, like a goblet of rare red wine. Thus having known him- self for the master of things, a man could go back to his toil and live upon the memory all his days." (Pg. 11, in my version)
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Trevin Kraus
10/20/2013 09:56:16 am
Connection: When Jurgis arrives in America he describes the poor conditions of America. He talks about the Dirty, Grimy streets the huge billows of smoke that fill the air from the factories. Jurgis has these high hopes of coming to America and obtaining a good a job and has many expectations. However, many of his dreams/expectations were crushed. I have been able to connect to Jurgis's situation. I have been in many scenarios where I had certain expectations and dreams that were ruined leaving me very sad/disappointed.
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Alex Demos
10/20/2013 02:01:55 pm
I have the same connections you do to Jurgis at times. The feeling of being let down for something you were so hopeful for. Sometimes, however, these scenarios of being let-down can be improved upon throughout time. Do you believe that his conditions will improve? Has there ever been a time where your condition has improved from what it once was to what it is now?
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Jordan Garcia
10/20/2013 03:53:53 pm
I get where your coming from. Jurgis has it pretty rough if you ask me. Not only is he working in America to get himself in a better direction, but thats not even where his work started. After his Father died in Lithuania, He had to work in his home country to get to America.
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Hayes Sherr
10/20/2013 05:29:34 pm
I agree, being sad and disappointed doesn't feel to good. I think that no matter what you or someone tries to do, there will always be a letdown. Hopefully Jurgis finds good out of bad.
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Alura Polese
10/20/2013 10:32:13 am
Perspective: I notice that Ona Lukoszaite and Jurgis Rudkus are very positive people. I notice that they are very thankfull while the bad music is playing the dance along in harmony with everyone. People were stealing drinks that they could not afford but Jurgis makes sure Ona keeps her head up and reassures her that they will soon pay off the bulls and they will continue with their happiness!
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alura
10/20/2013 10:33:01 am
bills**
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Sophia C.
10/20/2013 11:28:08 am
"...Marija was too eager to see that others conformed to the proprieties to consider them herself."
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Rachel Deaton
10/20/2013 11:36:57 am
Perspective: I really feel that Jurgis has Rudkus has a great attitude. He is very optimistic and promises Ona a lot. It is fantastic to see that he doesn't give up from all the events that have happened (moving, job, apartment).
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Katie
10/20/2013 11:41:16 am
“It might have come from the center of the world, this smoke, where the fires of the ages still smolder.”
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Crystal Delgado
10/20/2013 12:12:03 pm
I connected chapters 1 & 2 of The Jungle to the HOHAM integrity. I mostly felt this way in chapter one because of the background of the ceremony and what it entailed. People paid a small share when they were done and even though many did slip away and it sort of ended up going down hill from there, there were the many who were ethical and responsible.
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Grady Gumner
10/20/2013 02:02:14 pm
Do you think it would be unethical for a person to not give any money to the bride and groom if they couldn't afford it? Many people who worked in the meat-packing industry were rather poor and likely barely had the funds to survive, much less give away as a wedding gift.
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Grady Gumner
10/20/2013 01:24:15 pm
I felt as if I had gained a new perspective while reading the third chapter of The Jungle. Hearing of the mass handling and transportation of livestock gave off the impression that the animals were not treated as living creatures, rather inanimate objects with only a money value. It was quite alarming and saddening to realize that the animals were "unsuspicious" of their fate up until they were slaughtered and packed for the prosperity of a few men.
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Grady Gumner
10/20/2013 01:50:05 pm
Quote: "...it was quite uncanny to watch them, pressing on to their fate, all unsuspicious- a very river of death"
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Alex Demos
10/20/2013 01:56:49 pm
I understand how this may have changed your perspective, but do you still believe the same treatment on livestock back then is the same now? Treatment of livestock has most likely improved since the day this book was written, so do you think that they are still treated with cruelty or no?
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Grady Gumner
10/20/2013 01:35:41 pm
The first chapter of The Jungle was evidence of the extravagant indulgence of people living in industrialized America. The great detail which Upton Sinclair uses to describe the eating and festivities at the wedding reception was, I believe, a metaphor for the overindulgence of people living in the United States. Throughout the festivities, anyone around could eat as much as they pleased, as if the supply of food was endless. However after the festivities had died down, everyone returned to their meager lives. While the working-people of Chicago might not have over-indulged on a regular basis, I believe they were used as a metaphor for the majority of people living in industrialized America. With food being produced at such large scales, the people of the United States could consume as much as they pleased, while unknowingly supporting a cruel, dirty market.
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Grady Gumner
10/20/2013 01:54:39 pm
Quote: "...and if any of these onlookers came sufficiently close, or looked sufficiently hungry, a chair was offered him, and he was invited to the feast."
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Alex Demos
10/20/2013 01:48:49 pm
"Apparently nobody knows how to waltz, but that is nothing of any consequence -- there is music, and they dance, each as he pleases, just as before they sang."
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Grady Gumner
10/20/2013 01:59:28 pm
I also really liked this quote. It kind of gave the message to just enjoy life for what it is. Although they couldn't afford a full orchestra, they still made due with a friend playing music and had a great wedding.
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Malia Mendiola
10/20/2013 01:55:38 pm
"This is the fifth year, now, that Jadvyga has been engaged to Mikolas, and her heart is sick. They would have been married in the beginning, only Mikolas has a father who is drunk all day, and he is the only other man in a large family. Even so they might have managed it (for Mikolas is a skilled man) but for cruel accidents which have almost taken the heart out of them. He is a beef-boner, and that is a dangerous trade, especially when you are on piecework and trying to earn a bride."
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Cole Sargent
10/20/2013 03:18:05 pm
I also thought this passage was sad, that this man had to take on the role of his father so often that he couldn't live his life was pretty depressing. I wondered if Mikolas was symbolic of what Jurgis' new relationship would become, so burdened with work that he wouldn't be able to spend much time with his bride.
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Cole Sargent
10/20/2013 03:32:13 pm
“‘Little one,’ he said, in a low voice, ‘do not worry—it will not matter to us. We will pay them all somehow. I will work harder.’ That was always what Jurgis said. Ona had grown used to it as the solution of all difficulties—’I will work harder!’ He had said that in Lithuania when one official had taken his passport from him, and another had arrested him for being without it, and the two had divided a third of his belongings. He had said it again in New York, when the smooth-spoken agent had taken them in hand and made them pay such high prices, and almost prevented their leaving his place, in spite of their paying,” (Sinclair 20). I connected this quote to the integrity Habit of Heart because Jurgis, this man who had come to America with a third of this things stolen from him by a Lithuanian official, who had created a bill for himself that most people in America at this time wouldn’t even dream of being able to pay for (at the wedding celebration), had promised his bride that he would work harder, and that she should take a day off work. Even if it were to hurt him, Jurgis kept working harder, and I think that this shows an immense amount of integrity. I also connected Jurgis saying that he will work harder to Boxer from Animal Farm, the horse that represented the working class, and it made me wonder if Upton Sinclair liked Animal Farm, or supported its ideas.
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Jordan Garcia
10/20/2013 03:36:56 pm
" And this is their utterance; merry and boisterous, or mournful and wailing, or passionate and rebellious, this music is their music, music of home. " I chose perspective, many of these people at this " veselija " see each other in many grateful ways even though some of them don't have much. What they are doing for their families is pretty cool given the fact that they haven't been America for to long. From can factories to cotton mills, they are all putting themselves in these tough working conditions regardless of age and position. It was striking when Tamoszius's music made them dance and cheer because it was cool to see them listen to something that I feel brought them together in a way. This music is their tradition and their tradition is their past.
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John Engel
10/20/2013 04:16:24 pm
This is interesting how you brought up when the music was playing it brought them together and reminded them of their past and homeland.
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Xochitl Aguinaga
10/20/2013 05:02:01 pm
I feel this passage in the book shows connection between the people, but also shows the generational divide between them aswell.
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Hank Sherr
10/20/2013 03:42:10 pm
I chose connection, because almost everybody has to deal with a money situation sometime in there life. Often times people think there isn't a money problem when really they just don't want to admit it. A lot of the times we just hide from it. I feel like I connected with that because it relates to life in the real world.
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Hank Sherr
10/20/2013 03:56:54 pm
I like what you said Paris about when they move. If your moving somewhere different and you are promised something and when you get there its completely different, what's going to happen from there? Its almost just a waste.
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John Engel
10/20/2013 04:02:15 pm
Compassion: I chose the habit of heart compassion to go along with the speech that Jurgis’s father gave. When he started to give his speech people were not listening because this speech is usually "taken out of one of the books and learned by heart". Once everyone knew he was using an original speech people stopped what they were doing and listened. Jurgis’s father expresses how he is not going to be with his children that much longer. People show compassion for him by listening and crying when he is talking about passing away.
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Xochitl Aguinaga
10/20/2013 04:47:33 pm
“... it seemed a dream of wonder, with its talc of human energy, of things being done, of employment for thousands upon thousands of men, of opportunity and freedom, of life and love and joy.”
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Halee Robinson
10/21/2013 12:46:05 am
Your quote choice and your interpretation of the quote are really thought provoking. I wonder, now, what this says about his character, and also, why Jurgis sees America for only its benefits.
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Hayes Sherr
10/20/2013 05:21:16 pm
Jokubas, "promises them that hard work and commitment to social values will win them success." This quote can mean a lot. I connected this quote with supposition because this quote itself can change the way someone works and commits to social values. I think that later in the book this quote will be said again because Jurgis’s already said he would work harder to change the way he works.
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John Laine
10/20/2013 08:15:01 pm
Habit of mind: Underestimation "Leave it to me; leave it to me. I will earn more money--I will work harder." I found this quote interesting because it reminds me of some of the things I try to to saying it will get done don't worry it will get don't or I'll work harder next time.It feels like to me this guy is just gona get in over his head at this rate. For the world we live in is just a jungle and it gets stranger the deeper you travel into it.
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Julz Valencia
10/20/2013 11:44:09 pm
"There was no time during the festivities which ensued when there were not groups of onlookers in the doorways and the corners; and if any one of these onlookers came sufficiently close, or looked sufficiently hungry, a chair was offered him, and he was invited to the feast." Chapter 1
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Halee Robinson
10/21/2013 12:37:00 am
"It grew darker all the time, and upon the earth the grass seemed to grow less green. Every minute, as the train sped on, the colors of things became dingier; the fields were grown parched and yellow, the landscape hideous and bare."
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Alexus Seymour
10/21/2013 04:23:41 am
i like how you made to connection with you quote. i think you choose a good quote because it really summarizes what happens.
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Alexus Seymour
10/21/2013 04:19:37 am
my quote was "Jurgis said. Ona had grown used to it as the solution of all difficulties—’I will work harder!" pg 20. Americas at this time wouldn’t be able to pay for wedding, but he promised his bride that he worked so hard to come up with the money. I choose this quote because this man (Jurgis) who came to America most of his things stolen. This just show how much he do and if he wants to accomplish something, he will. He wasn't willing to give up, he came to america to start a new and better life for him and his family.
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Chris D
10/21/2013 06:01:48 am
The last two days they had all but starved
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Vivian Mason
10/21/2013 07:54:51 am
Chapter 1-4
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Anthony Williams
10/21/2013 10:56:59 am
Perspective: I found perspective within these chapters, because even though Jurgis can't see that the capitalist United States are corrupt and that the only way to get anywhere near the top is to get tangled up within that web of corruption. He truly believes that him and his family will lead a good life and be happy there
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Quentin Jackson
10/21/2013 11:19:48 am
For obviously it is the same thing, whether you spend it at once on your own wedding, or in a long time, at the weddings of all of your friends
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Hannah
10/21/2013 02:03:47 pm
HOHAM reflection 1
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Jordan Garcia
10/21/2013 02:27:06 pm
Perspective. Ona & Jurgis just moved in but they are both in two different positions. Ona has a positive perspective because she is very excited about the new house even though there isn't to much inside of it. On the other hand, Jurgis is in a confused state because he is curious as to why everyone hates the position they are in in regards to their jobs and such. Either Jurgis is turned off by this environment or this shows him that he isn't the only one working as hard as he is.
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Sophia Kormanik
10/21/2013 02:35:56 pm
Jokubas, promises them that hard work and commitment to social values will win them success. I put connections because im the time of person who would believe a person and do anything but in the end its a lie.
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10/21/2013 03:34:32 pm
Chpt 1 & 2:
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Sabrina
10/22/2013 01:14:41 pm
"Jurgis was like a boy, a boy from the country. He was the sort of man the bosses like to get hold of, the sort they make it a grievance they cannot get hold of. When he was told to go to a certain place, he would go there on the run. When he had nothing to do for the moment, he would stand round fidgeting, dancing, with the overflow of energy that was in him. If he were working in a line of men, the line always moved too slowly for him, and you could pick him out by his impatience and restlessness" - Chapter 2
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