The Anguish of Regret (Chapter 16)

Jurgis is now in jail in this chapter. At first, he doesn't care about it, he is happy that the boss is in the hospital. But as he thinks on these things the tragedy of his situation hits him. He has abandoned his family. They now don't have the means to feed themselves, or pay for the house. He realizes the impact this has on his family and is filled with regret. He has nothing to do in jail as these thoughts continue to torture him. they well up and build inside of him until he his filled with anguish about what he did.