Character guide

Jurgis Rudkus

major

Also known as Jurgis, II Jurgis, VI Jurgis, Poor Jurgis, April Jurgis, Comrade Jurgis

A Lithuanian immigrant who works in Chicago's meatpacking district, struggling to survive.

Ona Rudkus

major

Also known as Little Ona

Jurgis's young wife, who faces harsh factory work and personal tragedy.

Marija Berczynskas

supporting

Also known as Cousin Marija, Marija, Poor Marija

A strong-willed cousin of the Rudkus family who works in a canning factory.

Elzbieta Rudkus

supporting

Also known as Teta Elzbieta, Teta, poor Elzbieta

Ona's stepmother, who manages the household and cares for the children.

Tamoszius Kuszleika

supporting

Also known as Tamoszius

A violinist and friend of the family who courts Marija.

Antanas Rudkus

supporting

Also known as Dede Antanas, old Antanas, Old Antanas

Jurgis's elderly father, who works in the yards until his health fails.

Stanislovas

supporting

Also known as little Stanislovas, Little Stanislovas

A young boy in the Rudkus household who works at a lard factory.

Jokubas Szedvilas

supporting

Also known as Jokubas, ponas Jokubas, Szedvilas

A Lithuanian delicatessen owner who helps the family settle in Chicago.

Mike Scully

supporting

Also known as Scully

A corrupt political boss who controls the packingtown ward.

Jack Duane

supporting

Also known as Duane

A criminal acquaintance of Jurgis who introduces him to a life of crime.

Madame Haupt

minor

A wealthy woman who employs Ona as a seamstress.

Master Freddie

minor

Also known as Freddie, Master Frederick

The son of a wealthy packer who pursues Ona.

Jonas

minor

Also known as Brother Jonas

Elzbieta's brother who lives with the family and works in the yards.

Aniele Jukniene

minor

Also known as Aniele

A neighbor who rents rooms to the Rudkus family.

Jadvyga Marcinkus

minor

Also known as Jadvyga

A young Lithuanian woman who works with Ona and becomes her friend.

Grandmother Majauszkiene

minor

Also known as old Grandmother Majauszkiene, Majauszkiene

An elderly Lithuanian woman who advises the family on housing.

Tommy Hinds

minor

Also known as Hinds, Tommy Hinds

A socialist hotel owner who shelters Jurgis.

Nicholas Schliemann

minor

Also known as Schliemann, Dr. Schliemann, Comrade Schliemann

A brilliant socialist intellectual who debates philosophy.

Harper

minor

Also known as Bush Harper

A detective and political operative working for the packers.

Mr. Connor

minor

Also known as Connor, Phil Connor

A foreman at the packing plant who abuses Ona.

Justice Callahan

minor

A corrupt judge who presides over Jurgis's trial.

Miss Henderson

minor

Also known as Henderson

A supervisor at the canning factory where Marija works.

Ostrinski

minor

Also known as Comrade Ostrinski

A Polish socialist who educates Jurgis about the movement.

Alena Jasaityte

minor

Also known as Alena, Jasaityte

A young Lithuanian woman who works in the yards.

Kristoforas

minor

Also known as little Kristoforas

Elzbieta's disabled young son who dies tragically.

Kotrina

minor

Also known as little Kotrina

Elzbieta's young daughter who helps at home.

Juozapas

minor

Also known as Little Juozapas

One of Elzbieta's younger children.

Brown

minor

A political operative working for the packers.

Mr. Maynard

minor

Also known as Maynard

A wealthy man who hires Jurgis as a tram conductor.

Buck Halloran

minor

Also known as Halloran

A political thug who works for Scully.

Tommy Finnegan

minor

Also known as Tom Finnegan

A fellow worker at the packing plant.

Mr. Harmon

minor

A foreman at the steel plant where Jurgis briefly works.

Mary Dennis

minor

Also known as Mary

A neighbor woman who helps Elzbieta.

Sebastijonas Szedvilas

minor

Also known as Little Sebastijonas

Jokubas's young son.

Young Fisher

minor

Also known as Fisher

A wealthy young man who attends socialist meetings.

Lucas

minor

Also known as Comrade Lucas

A socialist comrade who speaks at meetings.

Doyle

minor

Also known as Scotty Doyle

A fellow worker who befriends Jurgis in the yards.

Goldberger

minor

A Jewish tailor who employs Jurgis briefly.

Vilimas

minor

One of Elzbieta's sons who sells newspapers.

Juozas Raczius

minor

Also known as Juozas

A Lithuanian man who works in the yards.

Mikolas

minor

A Lithuanian worker at the packing plant.