Riding the Rails Essay Example

hold and jump into open boxcars. Many young individuals specifically headed to cities on these boxcars, hoping to find work and start a new life. However, their experiences varied greatly and included aspects such as freedom, companionship, misery, and loneliness. As they journeyed to different towns, these teens would come across hobo camps, also known as jungles.

In the movie, the hobo camps are depicted as menacing improvised communities with arbitrary regulations. These camps, known as hobo jungles, were situated near the train tracks just outside the city. They were strategically located to provide easy access to and from the trains without drawing attention. In these jungles, individuals could find essential amenities such as food, shelter, books, and bathing facilities before embarking on their journeys again (Mcelivaine,1993). However, these jungles also posed potential dangers and intimidation. Upon entering the city, employment opportunities were scarce, leading many individuals to seek assistance from missions.

Religious organizations such as churches, missions, and the Salvation Army were the sole indoor locations where hobos could receive hot meals, clothing, and a comfortable night's sleep. The motto of many missions was "feed and convert" (Mcelivaine, 1993). Hobos who accepted assistance from these missions were then required to work for their food and endure a sermon, regardless of its duration. Those who were able to find employment would abandon the trains, while many others joined the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). President Roosevelt established the CCC in order to rejuvenate faith in the nation.