"The Jungle" by Upton Sinclair is easily one of the most important pieces of literature written for society. Sinclair reveals to the public eye what the meatpacking industry tries to hide. Written for the working class of America he keeps his vernacular to a mediocre level, making the novel readable by all while still being able to vividly describe every seen Jurgis Rudkus (the main character) and his family encounter.
Jurgis Rudkus brings his family from Lithuania to Chicago pursuing the American dream. They realize America wasn't a dream at all and find themselves all working in the meatpacking industry for minimal wages. They all have to work too long in a dangerous situation. The slaughterhouses were filthy and disease filled from the animals they would kill for consumption. Rats and dirt off the floor were two main ingredients for the sausages. Corrupt management did not help the workers at all.
English: Splitting backbones and final inspection ...
Grave site of Upton Sinclair in Washington, DC
Upton Beall Sinclair Jr. as depicted on the cover ...Jurgis gets thrown in jail and loses his wife and son. He turns to crime for more money after being in and out of jail and from crime discovers how dirty the city really is. He learns police officers and politicians are just as bad as his management at the meatpacking plant. By accident he gets involved with the Socialist party and immediately is enwrapped in it. He gets educated on Capitalism and the Socialist movement and never looks back. His whole life is devoted to making Socialism known. He gets a better job through his Socialist friends and meets back up with his family. The book ends with Jurgis at a Socialist gathering that is very promising for the future. They claimed they would take over Chicago. As a result the Socialist party did actually land two political positions in Illinois. Also the amount of votes...