# XXXI explained — The Jungle

> Chapter companion for The Jungle by Upton Sinclair.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_jungle_se/chapters/xxxi
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_jungle_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_jungle_se/chapters