In addition to being an Everyman, Jurgis is a literary naïf, or naïve person. He starts out as innocent and trusting, but gradually grows wise to the ways of the world. Jurgis' transformation is gradual, mirroring his gradual acceptance of socialism. Before Jurgis is able to exploit the system, the system must exploit him. Before he can accept socialism, he must experience and be victimized by another economic system, in this case, capitalism. Through experience, Jurgis learns that everything is not as it seems, and that blind faith is not necessarily a good thing.
As Jurgis grows distrustful of the economic system in which he is enslaved, he realizes that he enjoys his family, particularly his son, only when he's not working. Unfortunately, for Jurgis and his family, when he is unemployed, his family suffers financially. This relates to a larger theme — the effect the capitalistic system has on both workers and the family unit. Jurgis' relationship with his family demonstrates that the capitalistic system, of which he is enslaved, is contrary to and in fact destroys the family unit.
Jurgis' personal loss of family leads to his own rebellion. His first action — destroying peach trees — is reactive, striking out against the farmer's insults. Eventually, Jurgis becomes proactive, but his life of crime is not very productive. After he returns to the city, Jurgis becomes as much a man for hire as Ona had been, illustrating the double standard of the day. Jurgis' life of crime is his attempt at getting back at the city that got him. Nevertheless, his old feelings remain, and when he sees Connor again, Jurgis' true feelings about the sanctity of marriage and love of family re-surface.
Later, discovering the truth about Marija enables Jurgis to establish more firmly his true feelings about what is right and wrong in the world. Because he was unable to save Ona, he longs to save Marija. Attending a socialist meeting by chance leads Jurgis to rebel constructively. By the end of The Jungle, Jurgis is satisfied with his place in society and is confident that he can help improve society for everyone. He realizes that alone, as an individual, he cannot expect to accomplish much; however, as an individual who comprises part of a larger group, he can accomplish many things. In the beginning of the novel, Jurgis is driven by his desire to work harder; at the end of the novel, he is driven by the desire to work harder for the socialist movement.
