In the Jungle of Cities

Main Characters and Their Development

• George Gibbs — a reserved and outwardly unremarkable man, he is like a shadow among the concrete jungles of Chicago, yet within him lies persistence and hidden strength. His inner conflict, his struggle with himself and with imposed circumstances, reveal him as a tragic figure who also evokes sympathy. Over the course of the story, Gibbs transforms from a passive participant into a man forced to accept the challenge and enter a brutal fight for his own dignity, making his character complex and profound.
• Shlinker Shah — a merchant whose energy and authority permeate his every action. He embodies the predatory nature of the city; his cynicism and calculation drive the conflict. Shah is not merely Gibbs's adversary, but a symbol of a ruthless world where man is wolf to man. His development is a journey from self-assured manipulator to a figure who realizes the fragility of his own power and his loneliness amid the concrete jungle.
• Mary Gibbs — George's sister, whose fate is closely intertwined with her brother's tragedy. She is the embodiment of tenderness and vulnerability, yet there is also inner resilience in her. Mary endures trials that temper her character, making her a symbol of human warmth in a cold world.
• Jane Larsen — a woman whose life is full of contradictions. She balances between passion and disappointment, between the dream of love and harsh reality. Jane is the voice of female destiny in a world ruled by male ambition and struggle; her journey is one of discovering her own worth and strength.
• Babs — Gibbs's friend, whose loyalty and simplicity highlight the complexity of the main characters. He serves as a kind of guide between the world of everyday life and the arena of struggle, bringing notes of humanity and sincerity to the narrative.