The Jungle

The Jungle (1906) is the most famous novel by prolific U.S. author Upton Sinclair. It describes the life of a family of Lithuanian immigrants working in Chicago's Union Stock Yards at the end of the 19th century. Depicting, in drastic tones, poverty, the complete absence of social security, the scandalous living and working conditions, the lack of hygiene, and generally the utter hopelessness prevalent among the have-nots, which is contrasted with the deeply-rooted corruption on the part of the haves, The Jungle is a major critique of capitalism and an important example of the "muckraking" tradition begun by journalists such as Jacob Riis. The book's underlying message is that socialism is the only effective tool with which to fight unfettered capitalism and the only true remedy available to America's poor masses.

Related Topics:
Upton Sinclair - Lithuanian - Immigrant - Chicago - Union Stock Yards - Poverty - Social security - Hygiene - Corruption - Capitalism - Muckraking - Journalist - Jacob Riis - Socialism

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On its first publication, the book caused an enormous uproar (President Theodore Roosevelt supposedly threw his breakfast sausages out the window after reading the book), leading to the passage of legislation, including the Meat Inspection Act and the Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906, leading to the establishment of the Food and Drug Administration. Sinclair remarked on the success of his book in this regard—but its failure to lead to popular support for socialism—by stating that "I aimed at the public's heart, and by accident I hit it in the stomach."

Related Topics:
Theodore Roosevelt - Meat Inspection Act - Pure Food and Drug Act - Food and Drug Administration

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The original uncensored edition of the novel came to light in the mid-1980s and has since been published. The book is one-third longer than the originally published release, and expands out beyond the meat packing industry into such directions as steelworking and organized crime, as well as restoring controversial details that might have harmed its chances of publication.

Related Topics:
1980s - Meat packing industry - Steelworking - Organized crime

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