"Bush" Harper Character Analysis in The Jungle

Bush Harper is a duplicitous union spy who introduces Jurgis to Mike Scully. When Jurgis gets into hot water for assaulting Phil Connor for the second time, Harper pulls strings to get Jurgis's bail reduced so that Jurgis can skip town. He later ends up pocketing some of the cash Jurgis has put towards bail.

"Bush" Harper Character Timeline in The Jungle

The timeline below shows where the character "Bush" Harper appears in The Jungle. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

The Dehumanizing Evils of Capitalism Theme Icon

The Immigrant Experience and Disillusionment Theme Icon

...outs of Chicago's criminal underbelly—in particular the corrupt political system. A double-dealing union spy named "Bush" Harper introduces Jurgis to a Democratic boss named Mike Scully. Through Harper and Scully, Jurgis gets... (full context)

...Phil Connor. He again attacks Connor and is sent back to jail. When he asks "Bush" Harper to help him avoid punishment, Harper tells him that Connor is a top man of... (full context)