Experience Changes Belief

Regarding the discussion question of whether or not (according to The Jungle) experience changes belief, I would like to make that claim that yes, in fact experience does change belief.  There are a multitude of situations in which people are able to acquire further knowledge and expand their mind.  It is the experience of these situations that has the potential to teach us things and may or may not lead to a change in belief.  According to The Jungle, there is one plainly evident belief that I believe through the experience in packingtown had the potential to change the beliefs of the characters.  Initially, Jurgis and his friends and family came to America with the hopes and dreams of living a successful and bountiful life.  However, their dreams quickly come crashing down on them when disease, death, and work troubles lead to a much harder life than they expected.  Eventually, the reader begins to see the characters one by one either finally come to grips with the reality of packingtown or unfortunately, die.  Characters like Marija turn to prostitution as a means of survival and vow to never leave the trade for her addiction to drugs are too strong.  We see through this that Marija's beliefs in the 'better life' in America no longer exist as she gives up and turns to the brothel as her only means of survival. We see a different example of this with Jurgis' experiences.  Through his experience, we see Jurgis eventually change his belief in the Unions and begin supporting their efforts as well as become totally involved with the idea of socialism.  Through the characters experiences, we see a number of their beliefs change and thus I regard the discussion question to be true.