The Role Of The American Dream In The Jungle By Upton Sinclair

America is often known as the land of opportunities. For decades, immigrants have migrated to America to try and obtain the American Dream. In the novel, The Jungle by Upton Sinclair, the American dream is very difficult if not impossible to achieve for many immigrants such as the Lithuanians due to their lack of money and differences. The Lithuanians emigrated to America thinking they would finally be able to live the American Dream until they are faced with the reality of difficulties: dangerous working conditions, and poverty. Their experience in America and trying to live the American dream leads them to lose hope. As many people who migrate to America, the Lithuanians believed all their worries and troubles would disappear upon their arrival. They
They were looked down on because this. They were constantly cheated out of their money. They bought a house thinking it would be theirs, only to find out that they were renting it until they complete seven years of payment. The family went looking for lawyers but only to find out the lawyers were also friends with the man selling the house. It was too late until they realized it was a fraud. Despite the circumstances they tried to have hope. Jurgis thought everything was going well and refused his wife or children to work. "Little one, do not worry – it will not matter to us. We will pay them all somehow. I will work harder." (Sinclair 34). Unfortunately, the lack of money leads them to get evicted. It also leads the family to do what Jurgis did not want them doing. Ona and their thirteen year old child, have no choice but to get a job. Forbidding him to attend school. Ona was exploited by her boss, Connor, who threatened to have her, Jurgis, and the rest of the family fired if she refused the relationship. This forced her to have relationship with him and become a