The Jungle by Upton Sinclair - Essay Example

Lecturer The Jungle The Jungle is a book which was ed by an American journalist called Upton Sinclair in 1906. The matter of The Jungle is Poor Working Conditions of Immigrants. The book explains the lives of immigrants in industrialized cities, like Chicago, in the United States. During the early 20th Century, many immigrants worked in unsafe and unhealthy conditions in the meat packing industry of America. Jurgis Rudkus, the main character in this book is an immigrant (Lithuanian) whose first job in Chicago is at Browns slaughterhouse, where he finds difficult working conditions.

For example, he lost his job after an injury he got from a work accident. Ona, Rudkus wife, also explains that she was raped by her boss. The major opinion of Upton Sinclair in his book The Jungle is that workers, especially immigrants, were exploited at the workplace by their employers. The author uses Jurgis in his book to explain experiences where capitalism operates without checks or balances. To get the extra profit; workers are killed due to workplace accidents, meat inspectors are bribed, wastes are deposited into public water system, and workers get sick due to workplace infection.

My opinion is that all workers should be protected from exploitation of any form at the workplace. The government should put in place proper legislations to ensure this; for example, the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970. One of the values of the author is that he believes in socialism which creates fairness and equity. He stresses that socialism is the only idea that can right all the wrongs of capitalism. Socialism is just because it ensures each and every person benefits. The main character Jurgis believes that a social political system is capable of achieving dignity, respect and humanity of the previously exploited immigrants and working class.

The profits that capitalists make should be used to; improve the working conditions, compensate workers adequately and assist in community development projects. The author’s values conflict with mine because I prefer capitalism. People should strive to create wealth by starting enterprises which earns profits; however part of the profit should be allocated to improving working conditions of workers, and also improving the welfare of the surrounding community and workers. Distribution of profits ensures fairness to both workers and employer.

The Jungle reminds me of other texts which support social justice, equity and fairness. For example, the Dragon’s Teeth authored by Upton Sinclair concerning the rise of Hitlerism, the book pointed out the social ills in Germany and he won Pulitzer Prize in 1943 because of ideas in the book. Upton Sinclair’s tone or attitude towards The Jungle is very clear, the immigrant worker are righteous, while the oppressing employers are evil capitalists. This is because the employers subject workers like Jurgis to slave-like working conditions.

The author chooses foreign words to create authenticity, and at the same time make readers sympathetic. The names of characters are also foreign. Imagery and metaphor is shown in the title of the text, The Jungle, explains the competitive nature of capitalism. The strong preys on the week; the employers exploit employees, while ensuring maximum profits. The impact the author had on the society is evidenced by Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906 which was enacted due to public pressure to ensure only safe meat is sold to customers.