The Jungle: Chapters 4-7

Lesson Plan - Get It!

Audio:

For many people, part of the American Dream is home ownership.

Even though the immigrants in Sinclair's novel are newly-minted citizens, they also dream of owning a home. However, their passage to America has not been easy. Briefly recount the journey to Chicago that Jurgis, Ona, and their relatives took in Chapters One through Three to your parent or teacher.

In this lesson, you will read what happens as the two families invest in their first American home while they begin to assimilate into American culture and pursue their version of the American Dream. Before you read the following article, tell your parent or teacher what the term "American Dream" means to you. Then, read the following article that describes an immigrant's view of this concept. As you read, answer the following questions on a separate sheet of paper:

• How do immigrants define the American Dream?
• How does an immigrant's definition differ from a natural-born American citizen's definition of the American Dream?

Read Meaning of the American Dream for Immigrants, by Ethan Lazuk, from Leaf Group, Ltd. Discuss your answers with your parent or teacher. Then, read Chapters Four through Seven of The Jungle. You can read your own print copy of the novel, or you can find a free copy of The Jungle by Upton Sinclair at Project Gutenberg. As you read, take notes on ALL of the previous owners of Jurgis's and Ona's new home. Write down the type of immigrants who owned the home and what happened to each of the families that caused them to default on their mortgages.

When you have finished reading, move on to the Got It? section to reflect on your reading.