Upton Sienclair was an American author, and surprisingly enough was at one time in the candidacy for california governor. He has written hundreds of books, but his most notable book was "The Jungle" and in this book, he exposed all the conditions of U.S. meat packing companies. He vividly describes the work environment and how it is packaged, and it could probably make you want to switch to a vegetarian after reading it. I was disgusted with how poorly they treated everything back then, from the sick employees to the rotting meat. After the book was released the public was pretty sickened to see what they have been eating so it because a federal matter and they created a Meat Inspection Act and Pure Food and Drug Act. It seems as though Uptons writing had a lot more of an effect on the world than most writers can say they have had, but even in his other books, he is a very talented writer and is good at keeping your attention and putting an image in your head.
I think that past the outward and obvious events and descriptions there is another message below. The whole book's purpose is to advocate action to prevent such bold and unbelievably inhuman practices in not only meat packing but across the United States. It is easy to focus on the grusome detail; the descriptions are so vividly written they seem to memorize the reader. It's like passing road kill. No one wants to see the entrails of a decomposing animals splayed across the road but you can not look away. Transfixed in horror you have no choice but to stare directly. It is important to make sure you keep your eye on the road that lays in front of you seeing as you are driving a car. The Jungle was aimed at the people who were behind the wheel of our nation: The Government.
ReplyDeleteIt is hard focus on anything but the shocking text. I say look beyond what is merely a device to show the reader an underlying issue. People are inherently selfish and cruel. Without the restraint of law we are secondary to profit. Just because we have laws to protect don't believe that the same spirit that would sacrifice human life for a dollar has been removed. The monster is not dead. The monster is simply restrained.
^^^^^^^^^^James Hester
DeleteBlain, I really like your interpretation of The Jungle. I also completely agree especially when you talk about this monster that is not dead but merely restrained. It says a lot about human nature. We have a very long history of cutting corners and casting human beings as simply disposable in order to get ahead. Money and power seem to fog out our compassion and selflessness.
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