Throughout The Jungle, Jurgis searches for answers, for something that can provide guidance for his entire existence. Everything that he believed in earlier in his life fails him, so it is no wonder that when he experiences an alternative that dismisses everything he previously embraced, he is immediately attracted to it. Socialism is the answer to all the questions and problems Jurgis has, whether he knew it or not. This is made quite clear when it comes to the issue of alcohol. Capitalism leads men to drink; a drinking socialist causes his boss to fire him.
The final chapters of The Jungle serve as an intellectual inquiry into this newfound religion. When Jurgis is converted, Sinclair needs to provide the theology for both the new convert in the book (Jurgis) and the new converts who read the book (all readers). This is one of the reasons why the final three chapters of The Jungle have no real narrative and read more like a treatise.
Readers may notice that Sinclair sows the seeds of socialism throughout the text — through characters like Tamoszius and Grandmother Majauszkiene and events such as socialists running for office. However, until Jurgis is ready to embrace the message, (a sinner only needs to recognize his sin); merely hearing the message will do him no good. Everything else must prove to be fruitless before Jurgis is willing even to listen to something so contrary to his former way of thinking and his former life. Ironically, like all new religious converts, Jurgis is unable to convince everyone he has found the truth. His family members need their own epiphanies.
