The Jungle Book by Upton Sinclair is a novel to show the public how the immigrants living in the United States in Chicago were being exploited. He wrote to give an expose of the atrocious working conditions in the meatpacking industry. His explanation of the internal and external surroundings of the places shocked the public. They found out that the meat they were consuming was not fresh, and it was contaminated. The expose led to the implementation of new federal food safety laws.
The story is based on an immigrant, Jurgis, who has the 'American Dream.' He hopes to have a better life in the United States and opts to migrate to the US, Chicago, to fulfill his wish of living a fulfilling life with his family. It does not turn out as he expected because he gets employment, but the working conditions turn out to be deplorable with meager pay. It makes his life even more miserable. Its setting is lower-class based in a small town in Chicago, called Packingtown, with appalling living conditions. It is an awful town because Jurgis and his family struggle to make ends meet.
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The main characters are Ona, Jurgis, and Marija. They are Lithuanians. Jurgis, the starring, is a hardworking man and hopeful in his high-end dreams. Ona, his wife, is a calm and kind-hearted woman who supports his husband to take care of their family. Marija is Ona’s cousin. A strong-willed and courageous woman who stands up for the rights of her fellow immigrants.
Sinclair uses themes and symbols to pass his message, with the primary theme of capitalism. It can be realized from the deplorable working conditions that the immigrants experience. They face exploitation. Being paid lowly and still being mistreated. For example, Ona was raped by his boss, yet no cause of action was taken.
The author has used symbolism in this novel. The title, 'Jungle', gives the public an image of the kind of working conditions the immigrants are subjected to. Also, the use of animal pens and slaughterhouses of Packingtown shows the sad state of the people termed to be working class.
At the end of the chapters, I anticipate that Jurgis and Ona, together with their entire family, will go back to their original homeland and settle there. They have suffered enough in a foreign country. Besides, it is better to experience suffering at home than far away.
