The Industrialization Process In Upton Sinclair's The Jungle

Rough Draft

Since the publication of The Jungle back in 1906, it remains a very impacting novel in American history. While it may not have any ghouls or goblins, The Jungle is miles past a horror story. In what is arguably Sinclair’s best work, he vividly depicts the terrors of life in the meatpacking industry, and the barbarous working conditions that come along with it. This novel illustrates the different ways the industrialization process destroys the lives of workers by bombarding them both physically and emotionally with: deplorable working conditions, harsh weather, and government corruption. Through the view of Sinclair’s fictional character Jurgis, he uncovers all of the lies and corruption that was masqueraded by capitalism, and he

One source comments, “The work hours were endless” (Moss, 135). They would have to wake up before dawn and wouldn’t be able to come home until nightfall or later. In addition, the work itself was horrendous. Those working in the slaughterhouses were only given an estimate of five years before they would have to quit or even die. Even Jurgis, a strong, healthy man, familiar with extremely difficult labor, still suffered through the work. “He was working in the steaming pit of hell; day after day, week after week – until now there was not an organ of his body that did its work without pain” (Sinclair, 138). In exchange for this brutality, the pay was so low that even the women had to work. Jurgis’ wife, Ona, and her stepmother, Teta Elzibieta, both had jobs as can painters. Even Jurgis’ elderly father and Teta’s children had to work to make a sustainable living for the family. These conditions work to destroy life at home. Sinclair shows the emotional impact these working conditions had on both Jurgis and his wife as their time with each other was impeded by the endless

Sinclair’s novel vividly and truthfully depicts the way the industrialization process decays the lives of its workers. In fact, to truly understand the struggles of the workers and write the most authentic piece of literature possible, Sinclair visited and spent several days in packingtown. Sinclair illustrates, throughout the entirety of the novel, the horrid conditions of the meatpacking industry, and he spared no gut-wrenching detail. One quote from Sinclair himself states, “I aimed at the public's heart, and by accident I hit it in the stomach." This shows that Sinclair’s intentions were only to shed light on the corrupt, capitalist system, but incidentally, his novel also led to the passing of several health inspection and food laws. Sinclair’s novel was the most accurate fictional piece of literature ever written, and it inspired a nation to stand up for social