Revision of Open Prompt #1

1987. Some novels and plays seem to advocate changes in social or political attitudes or in traditions. Choose such a novel or play and note briefly the particular attitudes or traditions that the author apparently wishes to modify. Then analyze the techniques the author uses to influence the reader's or audience's views. Avoid plot summary.

For writers who compose during times of reform, their work tends to concern such reform.  This is the case for Upton Sinclair’s  The Jungle, written during the Progressive era,  notably known for spurring President Roosevelt in creating the Meat Inspection Act.  During this era  the fact that Sinclair’s piece was  a cry for socialism in the United States was overlooked.  Sinclair wishes to alter the capitalist system and democratic government of the United States to that of socialism. His views are effectively received by audience due to their portrayal in a literal hellscape.             

 Sinclair’s sought to eradicate the capitalist economy and democratic government that allowed a capitalistic system to seize it.  inherent to a capitalistic economy is a social attitude of class competition.  He makes clear throughout the novel that the domination by massive corporations drives the impoverished proletariat to death, often literally, in order to receive sub-subsistence wages.  Sinclair's Capitalism 1900’s was so perverted that the entirety of wealth was held by the upper classes.  This unfettered form of capitalism spurred from democratic government that was driven by greed.  Chicago's local government was controlled by political machines, funded by local corporations. Sinclair knew that the solution to all of these problems was  a socialistic society.  With economic competition and greed obsolete, everyone would live at a respectable level for human beings.  He was able to disguise this message with one that was better received at the time, regulation of the meat industry of Chicago.  

            The details of the Chicago stock yards and the life of Yurgis Rudkus lived empowered Sinclair’s story, forcing people to pay heed to it.  A plurality of pages describe the steps and procedures of animal slaughter in the stockyards of Chicago.  These details and examples of uncleanliness and disease are disturbing for readers.  He also emphasizes the amount of work that Yurgis does to support his large extended family, somedays working nearly 18 hours of physical labor, and in return recieves insufficent payment.  Yurgis must also fight mud clogged streets and brutal Chicago winters.  details  work together to create a tragic character out of Yurgis. His plights are never ending, the work ahead of him is insurmountable and he loses everyone he loves.  the tragic nature of his story  makes readers receptive to Sinclair’s promising alternative.  

            The imagery associated with The Jungle is also very effective in influencing reader’s views because presents the horrors of Yurgis life.  Sinclair’s use of imagery emphasizes the brutality and futlity of the stockyards. the description of Little Standislovas getting locked in a meat plant at night and being eaten alive by rats  is easily the most disturbing scene in the book.   For any reader, especially a parent, this occurrence is so disturbing that they can’t help but agree with Sinclair that the capitalistic system of the 1900’s was truly horrible.   Sinclair’s description of Yurgis coming home excitedly awaiting to witness his new born child, but ends up having to face his wife dying in childbirth is equally tragic.  The possibility of hope and utter depression of what actually transgresses shocks the reader.   The system that Sinclair attacks is directly responsible for these tragedies, making his message all the more effective.  

            Sinclair was certainly a covert critic of America’s economic and social situation of the Progressive Era. Though his idea of a socialist government never took hold in America his work's  were certainly simultaneously disgusted and moved by the vivid story of Yurgis Rudkus, and these emotions brought about due to Sinclair’s use of details and imagery were especially effective in readers accepting Sinclair’s ideas.