Financial Ruin and the American Dream in 'The Jungle'

What is the "trap" referred to on page 116 that Jurgis falls into?

What are the implications of this situation for the family?

Final answer:

On page 116 of ‘The Jungle’, Jurgis falls into the 'trap' of a fraudulent mortgage, leading to financial ruin for his family. This serves as a critique of the American Dream and reveals the harsh realities facing immigrant communities.

In the novel 'The Jungle' by Upton Sinclair, the "trap" referred to on page 116 that Jurgis falls into is a fraudulent mortgage on their house. This mortgage leads to financial ruin for the family as they become victims of predatory lending and deceitful practices.

As immigrants who were not familiar with these systems and did not fully understand English, Jurgis and his family were easy targets for exploitation. The implications of this situation for the family are significant. They not only lose their home but also find themselves buried in debt, facing a bleak future in America.

The "trap" symbolizes the harsh realities of the American Dream, highlighting that it is not always attainable and can lead to disillusionment and struggle for disadvantaged communities. The novel critiques the idea of success through hard work and reveals the exploitation and challenges faced by immigrants pursuing this dream.