The Jungle Analysis

In the early 20th century unbridled capitalism diminished the streets, towns, and cities of the growing United States of America. Social and political institutions were being changed directly because of it, until two certain movements sparked a light of hope unto the deteriorated factory-laden lands: socialism and progressivism. Both were portrayed as solutions to the evils of capitalism. And through the works of artists and writers such as Lewis Hine, Ida M. Tarbell, Frank Norris, and Gustavus Myers the excesses and evils were exposed. One writer in particular, Upton Sinclair, author of The Jungle, sparked an outcry with his expose of the meatpacking industry and set reform into motion. Although Sinclair was specifically promoting socialism in The Jungle, it is recognized that the true spirit of his work lay in his passion for progressivism in the early 20th century.

Socialist ideas and politics sparked his interest early in Sinclair’s career. Sinclair discovered that the workers could take some control, and not the rich minority, the influence of which discovery is evident in his writing. Socialism was mostly presented, and promoted, symbolically and thematically throughout the work of The Jungle. Capitalism is portrayed as a grim, demeaning way of providing benefits for the few while destroying the lives of the majority. However, with the introduction of socialism comes a bright solution to the evil depths of the past. Sinclair’s chiaroscuro technique of depicting capitalism in bleak blacks of industry and socialism in pure whites of the people is integrated throughout the novel. The promotion of socialist ideas is infinite: Mike Scully’s rigged election fails when a socialist candidate refuses to be bought off; Jurgis attends a socialist party meeting, soon eager to learn more; Nicholas Schliemann acts as Sinclair when making a speech promoting socialism. Suddenly, radical thoughts are set into action with socialist promotion.

Along with promoting socialist ideals in The Jungle, Upton Sinclair proved his true spirit of passion lay in progressivism (it being a somewhat more reformist attitude to the premier radical thought).