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Allusions
Chapter 3
Explanation and Analysis—Lithuanian English:
In this excerpt, the author represents a Lithuanian version of English to highlight Jurgis's struggle with the language of his adopted country. As the protagonist is struggling to communicate when searching for work, he and the foreman of the stockyard fight to understand each other, speaking in a dialect of English:
‘Speak English?’
‘No; Lit-uanian.’ (Jurgis had studied this word carefully.)
‘Job?’
‘Je.’
(A nod.)
‘Worked here before?’
‘No ’stand.’ (Signals and gesticulations on the part of the boss. Vigorous shakes of the head by Jurgis.)
‘Shovel guts?’
‘No ’stand.’ (More shakes of the head.)
‘Zarnos. Pagaiksztis. Szluota!’ (Imitative motions.)
Related Themes:
Chapter 24
Explanation and Analysis—A Rich Feller:
A drunken Freddie fumbles with his wallet, clumsily shuffling around a huge wad of cash as he complains to the homeless Jurgis about lacking funds. Sinclair brings a sense of realism and situational irony to the scene through both Freddie's words and his use of mid-century American English:
Unlock with LitCharts A+“Looks like a lot, hey?” said Master Freddie, fumbling with it. “Fool you, though, ole chappie—they’re all little ones! I’ll be busted in one week more, sure thing—word of honor. An’ not a cent more till the first—hic—guv’ner’s orders—hic—not a cent, by Harry! Nuff to set a feller crazy, it is. I sent him a cable, this af’noon—thass one reason more why I’m goin’ home. ‘Hangin’ on the verge of starvation,’ I says—‘for the honor of the family—hic—sen’ me some bread. Hunger will compel me to join you—Freddie.’ Thass what I wired him, by Harry, an’ I mean it—I’ll run away from school, b’God, if he don’t sen’ me some.”
Related Themes:
