Ten Hidden Truths in The Jungle by Upton Sinclair - Essay Example

Ten Hidden Truths in “The Jungle” by Upton Sinclair The Jungle is an important insight into American history, more importantly it unveils the hidden truths of workers’ life in Chicago at the beginning of twentieth century. Usually these truths remain hidden until late in a worker’s life, and only exposed to him bit by bit. The bitter realities hurt the reader but Sinclair had to state them as they existed. Even today, the understanding of these truths is equally important because the exploitation takes forms to suit contemporary conditions. Following are ten basic truths identified from the reading of “The Jungle” by Upton Sinclair; Hidden Truth 1 : The reality of wonderful dreams Jurgis, the hero of the novel had come to this land of opportunities – Chicago with so many wonderful dreams, but realities dawned on him when he was forced to starve in this land of high prices. He, like other migrants, had never thought of this costly life. The so called high wages were quite insufficient to spend an expensive life in Chicago. The employers knew exactly, the tactics they had to employ to engage and cage the migrants. “A few days of practical experience in this land of high wages has been sufficient to make clear to them the cruel fact that it was also a land of high prices, and that in it the poor man was almost as poor as in any other corner of the world;” (Sinclair, Chapter 2, page 24). Hidden Truth 2 : Cost of living a nightmare Living in Chicago was no less than a nightmare for migrants. Jurgis and his family found it extremely difficult to pay the nine dollar rent while earning only little more than two dollars for a twelve-hour job.  Buying a residence required fifteen hundred dollar with three hundred dollar down payment. The migrants had only two choices, either to pay rent for ever or to pay the both; down payment and rent to own a house somewhere in the future. The interest based economy had horrifying upshots on the life of lower and middle class worker families. However, the fact was deliberately obscured until the victim had been fully trapped. “You are like all the rest, she said; they trick you and eat you alive. They never sell the house without interest. Get your deeds, and see.” (Sinclair, Chapter 6, page 66). Hidden Truth 3 : Superficial life style lead to disasters The first chapter of “The Jungle” is mainly on account of the wedding ceremony of Jurgis and Ona. The couple arranged this ceremony, which was beyond their resources, and it was the first brick laid wrong and the expenses incurred by the couple led to future disasters in their marital life.  “Most fearful they are to contemplate, the expenses of this entertainment. They will certainly be over two hundred dollars and maybe three hundred; and three hundred dollar is more than the year’s income of many a person in this room.” (Sinclair, Chapter 1, page 11). Most of the guest “sneaked off” either without contributing anything to the entertainment or only very meager amount. (Sinclair, Chapter 1, page 13). They knew what exactly the entertainment is going to cost them in the upcoming life, “do not worry—it will not matter to us. We will pay them all somehow. I will work harder.” (Sinclair, Chapter 1, page 15). So, the superficial start of their marital life was dreadful and posed challenges and hardships for future life. Hidden Truth 4 : The prejudice Another untold story is the misery of living in humiliation. You lose all your confidence, and your children are born slaves. Even talking to a property agent had to come with so many cautions and concerns. All their lives they live apart and indifferent like aliens with gaps they can never fill. “To press the matter would have seemed to be doubting his words, and never in their lives had anyone of them ever spoken to a person of the class called “gentleman” except with difference and humility. (Sinclair, Chapter 4, page 44). Hidden Truth 5 : The ugly face of the society Jurgis had not taken long before most of the evils of society were known to him. He knew there were traps all around. “He had learned the ways of things about him now. It was a war of each against all, and the devil take the hindmost.” (Sinclair, Chapter 7, page 70). It was a society where you could not trust the honeyed words of your employer, shopkeeper, statesman and even the clergy because everyone was lying to lock his interest while alluring you to your terrible fate. “The great corruption which employed you lied to you, and lied to the whole country—from top to bottom it was nothing but one gigantic lie.” (Sinclair, Chapter 7, page 70). Hidden Truth 6 : No workplace safety and insurance Despite engaging workforce at skimpy wages and exploiting their basic human needs, the employers were not bound under the constitution or any legal framework to provide workplace safety or compensation in case of any accident, even the loss of life was not regretted. There was no dearth of fresh blood with strong arms and false aspirations. “Sooner or later came the day when the unfit one did not report for work; and then, with no time lost in waiting, and no inquiries and regrets, there was chance of new hand.” (Sinclair, Chapter 7, page 74). Hidden Truth 7 : Corruption in the system all around Although a democratic system was in place, there was corruption everywhere in the society. “It seemed as if every time you met a person from a new department you heard of new swindles and new crimes.” (Sinclair, Chapter 9, page 91). Politicians and authorities used to employ their power to push the worker class to vote in their favor and warned them of severe consequences if they fail to comply with instructions. In some cases workers were bribed to cast a vote and even casting it multiple times for more money. “the same night watchman took Jurgis and the rest of his flock into the backroom of a saloon, and showed each of them where and how to mark a ballot, and then gave each two dollars, and took them to the polling place”, “Jurgis felt quite proud of his good luck till he got home and met Jonas, who had taken the leader aside and whispered to him, offering to vote three times for four dollars, which offer has been accepted.” (Sinclair, Chapter 9, page 87). Hidden Truth 8 : Sexual harassment The worker women were an easy prey for merciless tyrant bosses. The sexual harassment was a matter of routine for these beasts and the innocent Ona was no exception. Initially, Ona had not revealed it to avoid any clash but the corruption could not be concealed long enough. She knew there was no protection of her right in that society. Therefore, she accepted the humiliation of her modesty just to save her family and Jurgis but she failed. “I tried—I tried not to do it. I only did it – to save us. It was our only chance.” (Sinclair, Chapter 15, page 144). Hidden Truth 9 : Child Labor a necessity and accepted evil Workers have to send their children to work in early ages as the horrible work load they had already born make them too weak to work anymore in old age. Nevertheless, the pressing requirements of food, rent and health had to be met anyway, and children had to share the load with their parents. The employers, off course had no objection to have soft, new energetic hands. When Jurgis came back from jail he found Kotrina selling paper and spending night out -- because she was the only earning hand of the family even Jurgis could not help it. “Selling papers with boys, she said. The snow --- .” (Sinclair, Chapter 19, page 189). Hidden Truth 10 : Wage Slavery The term “Wage Slavery” represents the worst form of capitalism where the poor grows poorer and the rich man becomes even richer. Though democracy had transferred some power to the elected politician but the fruits of democracy were not delivered to masses due to corruption in the electoral system. The workers were so suppressed in the system that even the slaves were supposed to have some degree of freedom when compared to this class. “So long as we have wage slavery, it matters not in the least how debasing and repulsive a task may be, it is easy to find people to perform it. But just as soon as the labor is set free then the price of such work will begin to rise.” (Sinclair, Chapter 31, page 343). The novel is a masterpiece of English literature, which leaves a sound impact on the reader. Upton Sinclair has brought the hideous face of the capitalism as it existed in the early twentieth century; however, the truths woven in the text have associations even in the contemporary settings. The expressions and symbols used by Sinclair have exposed the plight of the worker, the ruthlessness of the capitalist and the indifference of the society. Sinclair has not only unfolded the prevailing injustice with circumstantial evidence but the treatment of the subject is sublime and heartening. The interest and involvement of a reader never dwindle rather he feels spellbound to discover a truth after truth. Read More