Capitalism And Socialism In Upton Sinclair's The Jungle

“I aimed at the public’s heart and by accident I hit in the stomach” stated the international famous Upton Sinclair, after writing his most prominent novel, The Jungle. The word jungle is constantly associated with a wild environment full of undomesticated animals, but in this authentic novel, it refers to the unethical actions practiced during the gilded age. Sinclair’s main idea was to end all the unjust activities experienced during this time by writing and using the experience of his main character. Throughout the novel, the audience can perceive themes such as capitalism and socialism, historical events and symbolism. A great reason that this novel provoke a lot of scandal was by the cause of some objects or events representing more than what they really are. Sinclair makes use of

It was like some horrible crime committed in a dungeon, all unseen and unheeded buried out of sight and of memory” (40) to represent Jurgis in the meatpacking, he is innocent and is slowly walking to a dreary end without his knowledge. Similarity the food symbolizes the unjust and corruptive capitalism. The tastiest food presented at the book’s beginning demonstrates a joyful and family time. Meanwhile, the food from Packingtown, is toxic and putrefying. Food demonstrate how the meatpackers do not bother with selling their products in terrible conditions, moreover, the workers are found looking for something to eat in the dumps. (Shmoop.com) This example clearly demonstrates how capitalism during this era was present in the novel, it reveals how the owners took control of their factories without the control of the government. Even more the novel’s tittle symbolizes the ambitious nature of capitalism; Packingtown is a crude image of a Darwinian jungle,