Summary Of 1906 Upton Sinclair's The Jungle

In 1906 Upton Sinclair published The Jungle, a fictional novel that depicted the working class’ lifestyle and working conditions in the American city of Chicago. It focused on the meat-packing industry of the 20th century and the capitalist elite achieving success through the manipulation of poor immigrants, corruption of the capitalist government, institutions and its exploits of the growing industrial American state. Though Sinclair’s novel received critical acclaim for its reveal of the poor environmental and health conditions of the meat-packing industry, was there an underlying ideology he sought to impose and if so was he successful in his attempt? The third-person narration of The Jungle, enables Upton Sinclair from making his argument

Interestingly, Sinclair saw the United States as the country that would reward its citizens by providing any social class the freedom and opportunity to achieve their dream and desires. Moreover, he contended it was the country that indicated a end to all troubles for young people. Sinclair’s argument is indicative of the majority of immigrants desire to immigrate to the United States. However, Sinclair quickly indicated that life within America did not encompass the dream that many sought. For example, the capitalist system of the United States was quickly realized by the Lithuanian

As a result, he depicted immigrants as helpless and unable to work for fair wages and therefore sought a savior to rescue and enlightened them to the realities of the world. It was in this setting that socialism was proclaimed as the saviour. However, the 20th century was far from this depiction. In fact, this period in American history saw President Theodore “Ted” Roosevelt, a progressive reformer who sought to liberalize the Republican party and diminish the monopoly of wealthy companies and individuals. Afterall, it was during Ted’s presidency that legislative reforms such as Meat Inspection Act, Sherman Antitrust Act and the Square Deal were enacted. Unlike Sinclair, President Roosevelt sought stability and order as transcendent ideals. Moreover, Teddy believed that the rich and the poor had to function jointly in order to move forward to fulfill America's