The Meatpacking Industry In Upton Sinclair's The Jungle

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The Jungle, written by Upton Sinclair, is a novel that was published in 1906. He addresses the circumstances of workers and the selfishness of employers in the progressive era. "Sinclair revealed the tragedies of the meatpacking industry in his novel, which resulted in new rules on worker safety and meat sanitation." He uncovered not only contaminated meat but also the unfair behavior of incoming immigrants. The Jungle is a novel that is famous for its depiction of the inhumane conditions in the meatpacking industry. Sinclair’s use of graphic descriptions of the working and living conditions of the workers in the industry, particularly the immigrants, was a significant factor in the book’s popularity. For example, Sinclair wrote, “They worked …show more content…

There was no free health care and many people suffered because they could not afford treatment. Elderly people have been particularly unfairly treated as they are more frail and vulnerable, and employers have not been willing to help them as they could easily be replaced by younger people. Kristoforas was born crippled and considered a burden by his own family. They called it “a nuisance, and a source of endless trouble in the family.” (Sinclair 104) If a person could not work and could not contribute to the rent or food, he was considered a burden. When Jurgis injured his ankle, he received no severance pay and was unemployed for three months. No sympathy or empathy from the manager. Jurgis is unable to support his family and pay the …show more content…

The book was instrumental in the passage of the Pure Food and Drug Act and the Meat Inspection Act in 1906. These laws were passed in response to the book’s depiction of the unsanitary conditions in the meatpacking industry. The laws were designed to improve the safety and quality of food products in the United States. The Jungle also had an impact on the political beliefs of many Americans. Sinclair’s message of socialism as a solution to the social and economic problems in America resonated with many people. The book inspired many to join the Socialist Party, which gained popularity during the Progressive Era. The Socialist Party ran candidates in local, state, and national elections, and their influence was felt in many areas of American

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