Upton Sinclair was born in Maryland on September 20, 1878. Sinclair was an American writer, Novelist, journalist, political activist, and politician. Throughout his life Sinclair wrote about 100 books and other works of journalism. He is most known for his 1906 novel “The jungle ”. This novel exposed labor and sanitary conditions in the meatpacking industry, and lead to the passage of the Pure Food and Drug Act and the Meat Inspection Act of 1906. Upton Sinclair lived up to the age of 90 and died on November 25, 1968. The Jungle explores the life of Lithuanian immigrant Jurgis Rudkus, and his family. The book begins with the wedding of Jurgis Rudkus and Ona Lukoszaite. Jurgis is described as a big, strong, and very optimistic man while Ona …show more content…
Packingtown is where the meatpacking industries are located. It is very difficult to find a job in Packingtown. If someone was late, didn’t show up, or just got older, there was always someone ready to take their spot in the job. The jobs are low paying and unsafe. Many of the workers grew sick, hurt themselves, or died from the hard labor. In Packingtown the poor were also faced with corruption. When Jurgis and the family bought their house, they were unaware of the fact that they would have to pay rent and interest. If they were late on a monthly payment the house would be taken away from them. The houses in Packingtown were also cheaply made so they were usually falling apart. With the little amount of money made and costly expenses it was difficult to live. The Jungle represents the Progressive Era. Millions of immigrants were coming to the United States looking for a better life. However, once they arrived they faced corruption and mistreatment. The jobs found were unethical and deathly. Children would be forced to work in these unethical jobs to help their families. The jobs also paid very little, even less to children. All while the meatpacking industries were putting out unsanitary