Chapter 10 reads as a case history of abuse. Sinclair provides neither action nor dialogue. Life continues to be extremely difficult, but Jurgis can do nothing to change this. The one bright spot in Jurgis' life is the birth of his son.
Marija lands a job as beef trimmer, making half the amount of the man she replaces. Her character, possessing the "muscles of a man," continues to contrast with Ona, a weak woman who grows weaker after the birth of her son. Ona's weakened condition continues throughout the remainder of the book, foreshadowing her untimely death.
Forced to return to work one week after giving birth, Ona is not able to be a mother to her child. This illustrates the destructive force capitalism is on the family unit. Because he must work long hours on the killing floor, Jurgis is unable to be a father to his child. In fact, he seldom sees little Antanas. According to Sinclair, the very nature of capitalism threatens the integrity of the family.
Sinclair also uses a seemingly throwaway line, "she [Ona] did not tell half of her story at home" to foreshadow the fate not only of Ona but of Marija — their forced prostitution. Another important, naturalistic theme states that a technological society drives women to prostitution. Both strong and weak women eventually turn to the oldest profession — satisfying the carnal whims of men — in order to make the money necessary to keep their families together. Women do not turn to prostitution because they want to, but because they're forced to.
