Jurgis Rudkus The protagonist. He is a Lithuanian immigrant who believes in himself and his work ethic but finds that making a living for his wife and family takes more than hard work and dedication. He believes in the American dream and wants to make it a reality, but in the end, he discovers that he was following the wrong dream.
Ona Lukoszaite Jurgis' fiancée and later his wife. Her frail nature — both physically and emotionally — does not lend itself towards survival in the Packingtown jungle in which she must attempt to live.
Elzbieta Lukoszaite (Teta Elzbieta) Ona's stepmother. She endures one tragedy after another, never really living, only surviving.
Marija Berczynskas Ona's cousin. Although the prototype of strength and endurance for most of the novel, she too is eventually defeated by the capitalistic system, although she is matter-of-fact about her fate.
Jonas Elzbieta's brother. He comes to America with the rest of the family, but the only way he can survive is by abandoning the family and taking care of himself.
Antanas Rudkus (Dede Antanas) Jurgis' father. From the onset, he is determined to contribute to the family's success in Chicago; however, unlike in other countries, in the America he encounters the elderly are neither appreciated nor respected, and he dies destitute and deceived.
Stanislovas, Kotrina, Vilimas, Nikalojus, Juozapas, Kristoforas Elzbieta's children. Illustrating the abuse children suffered as a result of the industrial revolution, they all either die or are sent to work at much too young an age.
Antanas Rudkus (Little Antanas) Only child of Ona and Jurgis. He is Jurgis' hope for the future but he suffers a fate similar to his mother and cousins'.
Tamoszius Kuszleika A violinist. His passion for the violin exceeds his talent; for a while it seems that he and Marija might marry, but they are not destined to be together.
Jokubas Szedvilas A fellow Lithuanian immigrant. He owns a delicatessen and introduces Jurgis and his family to Packingtown.
