Marija Berczynskas

Jurgis Rudkus

Marija is Ona's cousin and a close family ally to Jurgis, fiercely loyal but often strained by economic hardship.

Tamoszius Kuszleika

Tamoszius is a violinist and Marija's fiancé, but their marriage is delayed and ultimately ruined by poverty and Marija's descent into prostitution.

Ona Rudkus

Marija and Ona are cousins and close confidantes, sharing the burdens of work and family in the harsh Chicago stockyards.

Elzbieta Rudkus

Elzbieta and Marija are aunt and niece, bound by blood and mutual dependence as they struggle to keep their family together.

Jurgis Rudkus

Marija is Ona's cousin and a close family ally to Jurgis, fiercely loyal but often strained by economic hardship.

Jurgis Rudkus

Marija is Ona's cousin and a close family ally to Jurgis, fiercely loyal but often strained by economic hardship.

Elzbieta Rudkus

Elzbieta and Marija are aunt and niece, bound by blood and mutual dependence as they struggle to keep their family together.

Ona Rudkus

Marija and Ona are cousins and close confidantes, sharing the burdens of work and family in the harsh Chicago stockyards.

Tamoszius Kuszleika

Tamoszius is a violinist and Marija's fiancé, but their marriage is delayed and ultimately ruined by poverty and Marija's descent into prostitution.

The Jungle

Ona's cousin, a lively and determined woman who works to support the family.

The Wedding Feast

A forceful and energetic cousin who drives the dancing and singing, often berating the musicians to keep playing.

II

A cousin of Ona's; an orphan who joins the party at the last moment after nearly killing her abusive employer.

III

Marija is part of the family group touring the yards.

IV

Finds a job as a can-painter after a day of searching; celebrates with the family.

VI

Helps Ona find work through a friend and advises on the bribe required for the forelady.

Chapter VIII

Joins the union but her canning-factory closes; she speaks out passionately at a union meeting about the injustice.

IX

Marija's former plant is referenced as a place where cattle-butchering for canning occurs.

Chapter X

In despair as the canning factory remains closed; her savings are nearly gone; forced to give up marriage plans to support the family.

Chapter XI

Becomes a skilled beef-trimmer and saves money; experiences a terrifying bank run and sews her silver dollars into her clothes.

XII

Sets out with the family during the snowstorm to try to get to the yards.

Chapter XIII

Marija contributes ten dollars toward Kristoforas's funeral, helping Elzbieta when Jurgis insists the child must be buried by the city.

XV

Present during the crisis of Ona's disappearance and the subsequent events.

Chapter XVII

Cut her hand badly, the wound is turning green, and the company doctor says she may need to have it amputated; she is out of work and nearly out of money.

Chapter XIX

Helps push Jurgis out of the house during Ona's labor.

The Siege of Despair

Recovering from illness, hopes to get a job in the yards and is reluctant to leave her old-time lover.

Chapter XXI

Hunting for more work alongside Elzbieta; mentioned as having had an accident (referenced in Elzbieta's story to the settlement-worker).

XXVII

Mentioned by Alena as having a good place and being able to help Jurgis.

The Convert's Crusade

Mentioned as part of the family, but not directly active in this chapter.