The Jungle
By: Upton Sinclair
By: Upton Sinclair
1906
"Now, because we’re so jaded, we’ve consumed so much, our attention can only be grabbed in a violent way. So (perfume) is always advertised by these constipated, exo-skeletal bitches who are sneering at you and it’s called something horrible like "Homicide"! "Dysentery"! "Urban Dysentery" for boys and girls!"
Dylan Moran
Well I don't think the protagonist from Sinclair's The Jungle makes perfume during his time spent in the factories of Chicago during the during of the 20th century, but he does spend quite a long time being exploited by a corrupt system that keeps him and his family desperate, poor, and reliant. The illusions of freedom and the possibilities that freedom affords people attract our humble protagonist and his naive family to work in some of the most horrible working conditions I have ever read or seen. The descriptions of the killing floors and the especially the fertilizer plant make your stomach churn and curtail your eating habits if you enjoy or simply eat processed meats.
Sinclair describes a horrifyingly pervasive catalog of atrocities to exploit his readers into indoctrination. Every chapter appears to simply out-horrify the preceding chapter with stores of forced prostitution, starvation, still births, and corruption. While the reader begins to react to these events, they begin to wonder what kind of social change can be implemented to positively impact the workers. Well, Sinclair does not hide what he believes is the only answer. Socialism.
Now because socialism becomes a central theme to the novel, critics have started the discussion of whether or not this novel is flat out propaganda. And if it is propaganda, can it still be considered art? Well in relation to this discussion, Leni Riefenstahl's "Triumph of The Will" has been reclaimed by critics for its artful merit while continuing the discussion of whether or not it is considered art. In addition, and that's why I used the above quote by comedian Dylan Moran, marketing and advertisements have become synonymous with selling products through association. That is, when someone watches a commercial of a happy family eating cereal bars they will associate cereal bars with family harmony. And it has got to the point where commercials are beginning to resemble The Jungle a catalog of fear inducing or right out disgusting images to promote a product.
Sinclair employs the same tactic with his novel. When one reads it Sinclair wants them to associate positive social change with socialism. Actually that is a little bit ironic seeing as the change this novel did have on the American public, was the implementation of an accountable system for food processing. The FDA was created as part of a reaction to this novel. Which means that people were more concerned, or at least they felt they could make more of an impact, about the food itself than the people who make the food. I am sure Sinclair is frustrated this novel is primarily associated with food production rather than a system that is more humane to people.
Sinclair describes a horrifyingly pervasive catalog of atrocities to exploit his readers into indoctrination. Every chapter appears to simply out-horrify the preceding chapter with stores of forced prostitution, starvation, still births, and corruption. While the reader begins to react to these events, they begin to wonder what kind of social change can be implemented to positively impact the workers. Well, Sinclair does not hide what he believes is the only answer. Socialism.
Now because socialism becomes a central theme to the novel, critics have started the discussion of whether or not this novel is flat out propaganda. And if it is propaganda, can it still be considered art? Well in relation to this discussion, Leni Riefenstahl's "Triumph of The Will" has been reclaimed by critics for its artful merit while continuing the discussion of whether or not it is considered art. In addition, and that's why I used the above quote by comedian Dylan Moran, marketing and advertisements have become synonymous with selling products through association. That is, when someone watches a commercial of a happy family eating cereal bars they will associate cereal bars with family harmony. And it has got to the point where commercials are beginning to resemble The Jungle a catalog of fear inducing or right out disgusting images to promote a product.
Sinclair employs the same tactic with his novel. When one reads it Sinclair wants them to associate positive social change with socialism. Actually that is a little bit ironic seeing as the change this novel did have on the American public, was the implementation of an accountable system for food processing. The FDA was created as part of a reaction to this novel. Which means that people were more concerned, or at least they felt they could make more of an impact, about the food itself than the people who make the food. I am sure Sinclair is frustrated this novel is primarily associated with food production rather than a system that is more humane to people.
Grade:
B+
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