The Jungle · Chapter
XXXI explained
Jurgis attends a meeting of Socialists where a debate unfolds between Comrade Lucas, a former preacher who argues that Jesus was a revolutionary and that Socialism is the true expression of Christianity, and Dr.
What happens
Jurgis attends a meeting of Socialists where a debate unfolds between Comrade Lucas, a former preacher who argues that Jesus was a revolutionary and that Socialism is the true expression of Christianity, and Dr. Schliemann, a philosophic anarchist who dismisses religion and advocates for a future of free associations and minimal labor. The discussion explores the relationship between Socialism and religion, the wastes of capitalism, and the shared core beliefs of the Socialist movement.
Themes in this chapter
Socialism as a Solution
The chapter centers on a Socialist meeting where different visions of socialism and anarchism are debated as alternatives to capitalism.
Illusion of the American Dream
Schliemann's critique of competitive waste and consumerism exposes the false promises of the American Dream.
Corruption and Injustice
Lucas denounces the church and wealthy elites as complicit in exploitation and injustice.
Characters to notice
- Jurgis Rudkus
Present at the Socialist meeting, listening to the debate between Lucas and Schliemann.
- Nicholas Schliemann
Engages in a lively debate with Lucas, advocating for philosophic anarchism and critiquing the wastes of capitalism.
- Lucas
A former preacher and Socialist who passionately argues that Jesus was a revolutionary and that the church has been co-opted by capitalism.
- Young Fisher
Interjects during the discussion about the wastes of fraud and advertising.
- Mr. Maynard
The editor who asks Lucas and Schliemann to clarify what they have in common as Socialists.
Key passages
“The workingman was to fix his hopes upon a future life, while his pockets were picked in this one; he was brought up to frugality, humility, obedience—in short to all the pseudo-virtues of capitalism.”
Workers are taught to be patient and humble in this life, promised rewards in the afterlife, while being exploited economically.
Schliemann's critique of how religion is used to pacify the working class.
“I am defending the word of God—which is one long cry of the human spirit for deliverance from the sway of oppression.”
Lucas argues that the Bible itself is a revolutionary text calling for liberation from tyranny.
Lucas's rebuttal to Schliemann's dismissal of religion.
“This Jesus of Nazareth! This class-conscious workingman! This union carpenter! This agitator, lawbreaker, firebrand, anarchist!”
Lucas portrays Jesus as a radical working-class revolutionary, not a figure of establishment religion.
Lucas's reinterpretation of Jesus as a Socialist icon.
“Communism in material production, anarchism in intellectual, was the formula of modern proletarian thought.”
Schliemann summarizes his vision: collective ownership of material goods, but complete freedom in intellectual and spiritual matters.
Schliemann's synthesis of communism and anarchism.