Capitalism In Upton Sinclair's The Jungle

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When we think of Upton Sinclair’s The Jungle today, we think of the stomach turning practices of the meat-packing industry in the nineteenth century and the Pure Food and Drug Act. Since its publishing the book has hardly ever been associated in the public’s mind with its anti-industrial capitalist message but has rather been known as a triumph of muckraking journalism and as an exposé of a vile trade. What sticks out in the novel are the repulsive details of meat processing. As Upton Sinclair himself put it, “I aimed at the public’s heart, and by accident I hit in the stomach.” Nevertheless, the anti-industrial capitalist message is there and it is strong one. The story of Jurgis is meant to be a poignant illustration of how industrial capitalism…show more content…
In chapter 9, Jurgis is introduced to how politics and political parties, or the “two rival sets of grafters,” as Sinclair would have them called, work. Jurgis himself becomes a cog in the political machine of Chicago when he is taken by a superior at the stockyard to get his naturalization papers and eventually registers to vote. The bosses at the packing houses encourage their men to vote, for the “right” party of course, and even give them money to pay for the poll tax with and several hours off on election day. This corruption even extends to the police force, as every packing house has a fleet of “special policemen,” who, if properly bribed can help one find a job. Additionally, all of the policemen in the district overseen by Mike Scully, the party boss, are members of the War Whoop League, the biggest club in Chicago, and all sell tickets to prizefights, cockfights, and dogfights instead of breaking them up as they are required to by law. Sinclair emphasizes how the enormous amount of wealth that the packers have accumulated allows them to bribe politicians, dissuade government inspectors from doing their job, and have a disproportionate influence over public…show more content…
In chapter 10, the reader learns of the trouble that Ona faces at work—of how her forelady, Miss Henderson, and coworkers despise and abuse her because she is a “decent married girl” and is neither a kept woman nor a prostitute. Sinclair states that Miss Henderson and the other inhabitants of Packingtown are “every bit as brutal and unscrupulous as the old-time slave drivers.” Ona continues to be mistreated by Miss Henderson, until in chapter 15, the reader learns that Connor, the boss, has all the while been threatening and sexually harassing Ona. Eventually, Connor and Miss Henderson lure Ona into the brothel that Miss Henderson runs. It is no coincidence that towards the end of the novel Marija becomes a prostitute. Sinclair includes all of these details to show how ethics are lacking in the stockyards because, thanks to capitalism, everyone there is leading a wretched existence and is struggling to
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