# The Jungle — Character guide

> Key figures in The Jungle by Upton Sinclair.

- [Jurgis Rudkus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_jungle_se/characters/jurgis_rudkus.md): A Lithuanian immigrant who works in Chicago's meatpacking district, struggling to survive.
- [Ona Rudkus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_jungle_se/characters/ona_rudkus.md): Jurgis's young wife, who faces harsh factory work and personal tragedy.
- [Marija Berczynskas](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_jungle_se/characters/marija_berczynskas.md): A strong-willed cousin of the Rudkus family who works in a canning factory.
- [Elzbieta Rudkus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_jungle_se/characters/elzbieta_rudkus.md): Ona's stepmother, who manages the household and cares for the children.
- [Tamoszius Kuszleika](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_jungle_se/characters/tamoszius_kuszleika.md): A violinist and friend of the family who courts Marija.
- [Antanas Rudkus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_jungle_se/characters/antanas_rudkus_senior.md): Jurgis's elderly father, who works in the yards until his health fails.
- [Stanislovas](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_jungle_se/characters/little_stanislovas.md): A young boy in the Rudkus household who works at a lard factory.
- [Jokubas Szedvilas](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_jungle_se/characters/jokubas_szedvilas.md): A Lithuanian delicatessen owner who helps the family settle in Chicago.
- [Mike Scully](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_jungle_se/characters/mike_scully.md): A corrupt political boss who controls the packingtown ward.
- [Jack Duane](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_jungle_se/characters/jack_duane.md): A criminal acquaintance of Jurgis who introduces him to a life of crime.
- [Madame Haupt](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_jungle_se/characters/madame_haupt.md): A wealthy woman who employs Ona as a seamstress.
- [Master Freddie](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_jungle_se/characters/master_freddie.md): The son of a wealthy packer who pursues Ona.
- [Jonas](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_jungle_se/characters/jonas.md): Elzbieta's brother who lives with the family and works in the yards.
- [Aniele Jukniene](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_jungle_se/characters/aniele_jukniene.md): A neighbor who rents rooms to the Rudkus family.
- [Jadvyga Marcinkus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_jungle_se/characters/jadvyga_marcinkus.md): A young Lithuanian woman who works with Ona and becomes her friend.
- [Grandmother Majauszkiene](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_jungle_se/characters/grandmother_majauszkiene.md): An elderly Lithuanian woman who advises the family on housing.
- [Tommy Hinds](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_jungle_se/characters/tommy_hinds.md): A socialist hotel owner who shelters Jurgis.
- [Nicholas Schliemann](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_jungle_se/characters/nicholas_schliemann.md): A brilliant socialist intellectual who debates philosophy.
- [Harper](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_jungle_se/characters/harper.md): A detective and political operative working for the packers.
- [Mr. Connor](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_jungle_se/characters/mr_connor.md): A foreman at the packing plant who abuses Ona.
- [Justice Callahan](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_jungle_se/characters/justice_callahan.md): A corrupt judge who presides over Jurgis's trial.
- [Miss Henderson](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_jungle_se/characters/miss_henderson.md): A supervisor at the canning factory where Marija works.
- [Ostrinski](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_jungle_se/characters/ostrinski.md): A Polish socialist who educates Jurgis about the movement.
- [Alena Jasaityte](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_jungle_se/characters/alena_jasaityte.md): A young Lithuanian woman who works in the yards.
- [Kristoforas](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_jungle_se/characters/little_kristoforas.md): Elzbieta's disabled young son who dies tragically.
- [Kotrina](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_jungle_se/characters/kotrina.md): Elzbieta's young daughter who helps at home.
- [Brown](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_jungle_se/characters/brown.md): A political operative working for the packers.
- [Mr. Maynard](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_jungle_se/characters/mr_maynard.md): A wealthy man who hires Jurgis as a tram conductor.
- [Mr. Harmon](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_jungle_se/characters/mr_harmon.md): A foreman at the steel plant where Jurgis briefly works.
- [Young Fisher](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_jungle_se/characters/young_fisher.md): A wealthy young man who attends socialist meetings.
- [Lucas](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_jungle_se/characters/lucas.md): A socialist comrade who speaks at meetings.
- [Doyle](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_jungle_se/characters/doyle.md): A fellow worker who befriends Jurgis in the yards.
- [Goldberger](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_jungle_se/characters/goldberger.md): A Jewish tailor who employs Jurgis briefly.
- [Vilimas](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_jungle_se/characters/vilimas.md): One of Elzbieta's sons who sells newspapers.
- [Juozas Raczius](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_jungle_se/characters/juozas_raczius.md): A Lithuanian man who works in the yards.
- [Mikolas](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_jungle_se/characters/mikolas.md): A Lithuanian worker at the packing plant.

HTML index: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_jungle_se/characters