the streets, he falls in to a bit of luck and meets a young man named Freddie Jones. Freddie is the son of rich Old Man Jones, takes Jurgis back to his home. He gives Jurgis $100 and the privilege of dining and drinking with him. Eventually when the young man falls asleep, the butler throws out Jurgis out. With the $100 bill in his pocket, Jurgis figures the only place he can get change is a bar. The bartender makes him buy a drink and then gives him a bunch of change. Jurgis becomes enraged and pounces on the man. Jurgis gets arrested again for battery and lands in jail. In jail, he meets Jack Duane, an experienced criminal. After being freed from jail, Jurgis and Duane team up in a luxurious, but risky life of crime. Jurgis learns about the connections between criminals, police, politics, and big business. He becomes a member of this complex network and moves into politics. Ironically, under these evil conditions, he discovers a new confidence and talent for management. He runs into Connor again, and beats him to a pulp a second time. Connor’s political connections cause Jurgis to lose all his acquired profit. Jurgis is back to wandering the streets.To keep warm Jurgis walks into a socialist meeting. An orator who describes the life of the working class and how workers can take active measures to improve society profoundly move him. After the meeting, he is introduced to a man named Ostrinski, who teaches Jurgis about Socialism. It dawns on him that he is entitled to join this movement. Jurgis agrees completely with the political party’s ideals, and becomes an active member. The novel concludes on a positive note, showing that the socialist party made significant progress all across the country....
