Political Activism of The Jungle - Essay Example

Political Activism of ‘The Jungle’ To be aware of the political world and to be active within it would be considered by many, to be seen as being a political activist. An activist who, in assessing the situation, determines the point in time, where their involvement would be included into the larger fray of political debate. In the world of such action being taken, participants can also include authors of literary work. One such example of that would be ‘The Jungle’, written by author Upton Sinclair. An individual who, after becoming aware of the conditions surrounding the meat industry in Chicago, Illinois, would be motivated to action and would set forth with the creation of his novel. A novel that would involve the real aspects of the meat packing yards in Chicago and the resulting ramifications for those involved. A novel that would not only seek to inform but ideally, educate in the same breath and influence the thoughts of those reading the material for themselves. In essence, the book itself would have an impact upon the issue that it was trying to address. In the quest for change to occur, it remains up to anyone concerned, however many that may be, to take the first step toward the implementation of a plan that would lead to the positive change desired. Going to the highest levels of the political echelon, ‘The Jungle’ would ultimately motivate then President Theodore Roosevelt, to move forward with a closer examination of the unhealthy conditions within the industry that Sinclair mentions in his book. One of the most personal choices an individual may make would be the food they chose to eat each evening. The message within ‘The Jungle’, would ultimately resonate with readers in that, with the horrible conditions being present that ultimately, would place into question the reliability of the very beef that so many eat frequently. Often times, political activists are those who seek to argue issues that are of present concern, with potential implications for the future. The characters mentioned within the pages of Sinclair’s work, would take on the appearance of average, everyday workers and families, seeking to make a living and support their families. How those who worked for many years in the stock yards, would take a different view to the work, in comparison to those that would have only been a part of the job for a shorter period of time. The sense of feeling as if the individual person would be invincible of discontent as a result of the work being performed, in the mind of those who would be new to the profession but for those who worked in the industry longer, they would fail to see the same level of optimism and instead, would fall more within the notion of realism. The objective for Sinclair, at closer observation, would be the illustration of a wider group of individuals that take part in the meat packing industry and to show how, over time that work can alter their perspective. An example of such an individual that would have been new to the industry would have been the character by the name of Jurgis Rudkis. In his case, “Jurgis talked lightly about work, because he was young. They told him stories about the breaking down of men, there in the stockyards of Chicago, and of what had happened to them afterwards- stories to make your flesh creep, but Jurgis would only laugh. He had only been there four months, and he was young, and a giant besides,” (Sinclair, p. 25). Throughout any industry, there would be those who, through lack of prolonged experience, would fail to see initially, the level of issues pertaining to the work that they would be performing. Through the inclusion of such a character, Sinclair would be seeking to show the audience the image of the worker, both before the level of breakdown would occur, as well as a look at those who would have taken part in such work, for a far longer period of time. The desire to take an activist attitude for the better education of the present dangers and enact the change needed. With the outlining of average citizens as part of his literary work, Upton Sinclair would do so with the intent of creating an illustration of the world surrounding the meat packing industry that more people would be able to understand. For the greatest possible likelihood of activism to take fruition, the image presented by the author, must utilize the examples of individuals that are able to be identified with by the reader(s) of the text. For many within the pages of ‘The Jungle’, their origins would be from areas that would have been far less developed, as the city that would await them. Families that would arrive with great hope and would, in cases, be faced with circumstances differing from that which they would have expected at the onset. The industry they would go to work for would be one of those thought of as being a part of the larger framework of the American system of enterprise. The true purpose of his work, as can be seen throughout the pages of it, would be the illustration of a faction of the general public that would gravitate towards the hope for employment and be wrapped up in the apparent wonder and hope. For those who desired such stability that steady employment would bring, any sense of negativity, would be pushed aside by some. In that case, “All the sordid suggestions of the place were gone—in the twilight it was a vision of power. To the two who stood watching while the darkness swallowed it up, it seemed a dream of wonder, with its tale of human energy, of things being done, of employment for thousands upon thousands of men, of opportunity and freedom, of life and love and joy,” (Sinclair, p. 34). In the world of political activism, the group often times fought for, is the one that would give the appearance of being the most vulnerable to harm in any form. The men, as well as the overall group described within ‘The Jungle’, would be a group that Upton Sinclair would have set forth to bring attention to, as a result of their role within the system of industrial production that would have been influenced by any held political motivation by those in charge. Upton Sinclair’s work, would be one of many produced throughout history, as a means of creating a visual image of a group of individuals and their environment that would require better awareness. Activism, in its truest form, would be the behavior of those whose motivation, would be fueled by the desire to aid those in need of assistance. Many things having to do with the human race, such as actions taken by corporate producers, become part of political debates, in times where the issue evolves to a question as to whether or not the specific corporation, is in fact creating an environment that would not be conducive to those who work for it. Sadly for those who wished for a better life, what they would in turn find, would be an environment that would have been swallowed up by horrific conditions within the plant, elected officials who were not doing what they were supposed to do and the resulting environment that those within the industry would be forced to face each and every day. Action is often times taken when something appears to have been placed at risk and as Sinclair’s work would show, along with the apparent action taken by President Roosevelt, ‘The Jungle’ would act as a catalyst toward the improvement of conditions for those who worked in the meat packing trade. Keeping closer attention to an industry that serves the consumption of many and ensuring the protection of those who work in it and depend upon it for their livelihood. Reference Sinclair, Upton. The Jungle. Published: Barnes & Noble Classics. New York, New York, 10011. Published for Barnes & Noble collection (mass market): 2003 (trade paperback): 2005. ISBN: 978-1-59308-118-8. Original publication: 1906. Read More