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Dehumanization In The Jungle

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Upton Sinclair’s, “The Jungle,” illustrated crucial aspects of American history, some more effectively than others. However, it is apparent that “The Jungle” effectively portrayed the realms of capitalism and the industrial crisis exceptionally. This aspect of the industrial issue was further reinforced with tons of descriptions of the harsh working conditions, which further led to the development of many socialistic ideologies and strikes. It was obvious that the high authorities within the meat-packing industry only cared about one thing; profit. These private-business owners reinforced the unsanitary, inhumane operations of a capitalistic society; one that gave little remorse for those working unhealthy loads of hours. Sinclair mentions …show more content…

All day long the gates of the packing houses were besieged by starving and penniless men; they came, literally, by the thousands every single morning, fighting for each other for a chance for life” (Chapter 7, Page 77). This industrial crisis was unveiled by the lack of empathy from higher authorities, who would continue to hire workers on a daily basis despite the current workers dropping like flies, due to the extreme, unsafe, and unsanitary conditions that they experienced. This dehumanized their own self-identity and self-worth, in which the industry made it quite clear that they were just bolts and screws to the machines, and could easily be replaced, due to the influx of immigrants at this time. The dehumanization of the individual worker, and the unimaginable conditions that one needed to work in, led to many socialistic ideologies and aggressive strikes that were prevalent in this novel, another crucial aspect that was portrayed alongside the emphasis on the industrial …show more content…

This industrial crisis which evolved through ill-practiced capitalism and poor working conditions led to many revolts. Sinclair writes, “To Jugis, the packers had been equivalent to fate; Ostinsku shows him that they were the Beef Trust. They were a gigantic combination of capital, which had crushed all opposition, overthrown the laws of the land, and was preying upon the people” (Chapter 29, Page 304). With this, Ostinsku reassures Jurgis that the capitalists are extremely corrupt, and desiring and thinking for themselves, and themselves only. Jurgis compares his work “equivalent to fate,” because at the time it felt as if those in power harnessed everything over Jurgis, from their great wealth and power, whereas Jurgis had nothing. This quote from the novel, unveiled the deep corruption, through the great clash between government agencies and the meat-packing industry. These government agencies were in charge of the regulation of such issues originating in this particular industry, and yet it allowed it to keep prospering while many workers continue to pass away, and live in hellish

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