Coming of Age in Mississippi vs. The Jungle Paper There is an argument that the tale of Anne Moody in Coming of Age in Mississippi is a more optimistic tale than that of Jurgis Rutkis in The Jungle and vice versa. This is not the case. When you take the time to analyze both stories, you discover that both have the same pessimistic core. The only difference is that Jurgis' character was optimistic for most of the beginning despite his situation, but in the end he loses all hope while Anne was still a realist determined to succeed. I think Anne Moody's story is a frank and open description of how difficult it is to live. was for black people. Anne never minced her words when it came to the events that took place in her life; many of which involved disturbing situations. Look how she grew up. The book begins in an era of JimCrow laws and sharecropping. During this time in American history, the life of a black child was bleak, to say the least. Currently, African Americans are treated only slightly better than slaves. It is a period in South America at the start of World War II. Living conditions for many blacks were substandard at this time; This is the situation of many black people who lived during Moody's early childhood. The house where she lived with her mother and biological father was of poor quality. In the book, she describes the living quarters of black people in M. The only difference for her and her family was that they had three rooms located on a hill facing the "Big House." The differences in the way whites and blacks live reflect the social norms of the time. Ms. Moody's life experience in difficult times did not...... middle of paper ...... I was an optimistic person at first, but it didn't make much- something to change your life for the better. With each new job, Jurgis faced a new problem. Like when he was forced to take a job at the fertilizer factory, he started getting sick from his work. Little by little, the problems Rudkus faced. Made him drink. On top of that, his family members start dying and/or left him until around chapter 27, Jurgis is out of work and living on the streets. Unlike what you see with Anne Moody, Jurgis is a defeated man. Anne, on the other hand, was a person who fought hard to have a better life. A message that can be taken from Coming of Age in Mississippi and The Jungle is Life for African Americans and immigrants is a struggle. This struggle is the pessimistic core expressed in both books..