Essay on The Jungle by Upton Sinclair, Jr. - 608 Words

At the beginnings of the 1900s, some leading magazines in the U.S have already started to exhibit choking reports about unjust monopolistic practices, rampant political corruption, and many other offenses; which helped their sales to soar. In this context, in 1904, The Appeal to Reason, a leading socialist weekly, offered Sinclair $500 to prepare an exposà © on the meatpacking industry (Cherny). To accomplish his mission, Sinclair headed to Chicago, the center of the meatpacking industry, and started an investigation as he declaredâ€Å" I spent seven weeks in Packingtown studying conditions there, and I verified every smallest detail, so that as a picture of social conditions the book is as exact as a government report† (Sinclair, The†¦show more content†¦And he writes of dishonest politicians and tricky real-estate salesmen. At the core of the story, Sinclair tells about the devastation and the falling apart of Jurgiss family as a result of the ruthless, abusive, and oppressive nature of work and life in Packingtown. By the end, Jurgis wanders alone, deprived of all dignity. He comes across a rally of political socialists, hears a speech on socialism, and enthusiastically converts to that cause. In the last chapters of the novel, Sinclair manifests arguments for socialism, in the form of speeches that Jurgis hears. The book ends with an appeal of a socialist speaker to Organize! Organize! Organize! so that Chicago will be ours! Chicago will be ours! CHICAGO WILL BE OURS! (Sinclair 372-73) So, according to some critics, it becomes clear that The Jungle is a propaganda destined to promote socialism over capitalism, and to reveal the hollowness of the American Dream, which capitalists define it as being the ability for people to improve their lot and to attain their aspiration for better lives through hard work. Throughout The Jungle, Sinclair portrays the American Dream from a socialist vision, and illustrates it as being a mere fictitious fantasy by the capitalists in order to keep the working class blind to the truth and under their everlasting hegemony. In regards to the American capitalist system, in Sinclair’s viewpoint,Show MoreRelatedEssay on The American Dream in The Jungle by Upton Sinclair, Jr.967 Words   |  4 Pages(dictionary.com). Upton Sinclair gained fame in the early 1900’s from his muckraking novel, The Jungle, describing the life of a young Lithuanian immigrant, Jurgis, living in Chicago in pursuit of the American dream. Jurgis found out that America isn’t as good as it appeared; with higher wages came more expensive goods, and with cheaper houses came higher interest rates. The Jungle, a fictional novel, tells of the real horrors of working in a Chicago meat packing factory. Sinclair had gone undercoverRead MoreA Comparison of the Legacy of Upton Sinclairs The Jungle and Rachel Carsons Silent Spring1725 Words   |  7 Pages 1906 would see the publication of Upton Sinclairs The Jungle, pushing through major reforms of the meatpacking industry and eventually causing the government t o take actions to protect the health of its people; almost fifty years later, the publication of Rachel Carsons novel Silent Spring would invoke a similar, but changed response to the threat of DDT. Although both would lead to government legislation creating major changes, the original intentions of the authors themselves differedRead MoreMy Favorite Book is The Jungle by Upton Sinclai610 Words   |  2 Pagesof them have impressed me as The Jungle by Upton Sinclair. To me this book is one of the finest books in the world. In fact this novel is so remarkable that it made history and changed the course of events. The Jungle’s excellent qualities have made it my favorite book. Upton Sinclair’s The Jungle was first published in the United States in 1906. This book became an immediate success as it portrayed the corruption within American business and government. Sinclair based the novel on the American meatpackingRead MoreThe Jungle by Upton Sinclair: Fame for the Wrong Reason Essay2798 Words   |  12 Pagesin Packingtown, the meatpacking district of Chicago. Upton Sinclair’s The Jungle portrays life through the eyes of a poor workingman struggling to survive in this cruel, tumultuous environment, where the desire for profit among the capitalist meatpacking bosses and the criminals makes the lives of the working class a nearly unendurable struggle for survival. The novel The Jungle is a hybrid of history, literature, and propaganda. Sinclair, a muckraking journalist of the early 1900s exposed toRead More The Jungle: A Close Examination Essay2731 Words   |  11 Pagesthe soul grow sick and faint. (363)The Jungle, considered Upton Sincla ir’s greatest achievement, shows the deplorable conditions in meat packing plants, as well as moving the reader on the path to socialism, something in which he truly believed in. In order for Sinclair to give accurate details in the book, he spent over a year researching and writing about the conditions on the meat packing plants in Chicago. This first hand experience allowed for Sinclair to see the plight of the â€Å"wage-slavesRead MoreFast Food Nation by Eric Schlosser Essay1205 Words   |  5 Pagesmeal takes more out of Americans to make then at first glance. Eric Schlosser’s book Fast Food Nation delves deep into the intricate workings of the fast food industry to expose mistreatment and cruelty towards workers in the business, just as Upton Sinclair had done in the early 1900’s regarding the meat packing industry. Schlosser is able to bring light to the darkness behind the All-American meal through extensive research and personal confrontations of which he has high regards for. Fast FoodRead MoreTheodore Roosevelt s Presidential Evaluation2193 Words   |  9 PagesTheodore Roosevelt Presidential Evaluation The Basics Full Name - Theodore Roosevelt Jr. Political Party- Republican Party and Bull Moose Party Dates of presidency- September 14th, 1901- March 4th, 1909 Job History New York State Assemblyman, 1882-1884 He joined the assembly in Albany on January 1882. He was known for his energy and persistent struggle against machine politics; because of this, he earned the name â€Å"Cyclone Assemblyman†. Member of U.S. Civil Service Commission, 1889-1895 As a memberRead MoreHistory of the United States from 1877 to 1917: Industrial Revolution1243 Words   |  5 Pagesleader, reformer, and educator, advocated for the tactics of racial solidarity, peace, and non-confrontation which formed the foundation of many of the approaches used by Civil Rights leaders (Booker T. W.E.B). A good example is Martin Luther King Jr. However, his idea of conformity largely served to justify the inequality and segregation that the whites were perpetuating against the blacks. Most evident to me is his speech in 1895 which came to be referred to as the Atlanta â€Å"Compromise† SpeechRead MoreEssay about The Mass Media in Princess Dianas Life4852 Words   |  20 PagesCabin, anti- slavery might never have been a major cause of the Civil War (Levy, 1999, p.93)In 1906, Upton Sinclair wrote a book entitled The Jungle. Using groundbreaking techniques in investigative reporting, Sinclair exposed to the public the deplorable conditions at a Chicago me at packing industry. Sinclair worked undercover, then wrote about the conditions he observed in his book. The Jungle changed the way food products were handled in the United States, when in response to the book, the governmentRead MoreHenry David Thoreau4404 Words   |  18 Pageswhile praising the writings of Wendell Phillips and defending abolitionist John Brown. Thoreaus philosophy of civil disobedience influenced the political thoughts and actions of such later figures as Leo Tolstoy, Mahatma Gandhi, and Martin Luther King, Jr. Thoreau is sometimes cited as an individualist anarchist.[2 Thoreaus stance was always much less extreme than many of his individual, sometimes inconsistent statements suggest. Theoretically he believed that that government was best that governed

The History of Mexican Americans Essay - 2462 Words

In the Preface of Major Problems in Mexican American History Zaragosa Vargas writes, Nearly two thirds of Latinos in the United States are of Mexican descent, or Chicanos- a term of self definition that emerged during the 1960s and early 1970s civil rights movement. Chicanos reside mainly in the Southwest, the Pacific Northwest, and the Midwest. Their history begins in the precolonial Spanish era, and they share a rich mestizo cultural heritage of Spanish, Indian, and African origins. The Chicanos past is underscored by conquest of the present-day American Southwest first by the Spanish and then by the United States following the Mexican American War (xv). When one thinks of a Chicano one thinks of the Mayans and Aztecs, the conquests,†¦show more content†¦It shows the struggle and emotions of the Chicanos. Some of the murals like the mural of Mexican history and an unknown really shows all the aspect of their history. It shows the natives, women, men, revolutionaries and th e major figures in Mexican history. The home page shows a drawing that represents the mixture of race which makes up the Chicano identity, the Native, Spaniard, and mestizo. This is a very visual history and one can pick some of the emotions and struggle through the paintings but one needs to understand the written history in order to appreciate it better because it makes it easier to identify especially with the major figures. Michelle Rosado makes an interesting point about the murals in the Chicano web site, when she mentions that one may think that this is the history of all Mexican-Americans, but it is not. The effect of certain events that occurred in Mexican-American history on this community and California, such as the Chicano Civil Rights Movement and the Chicano Moratorium march against the Vietnam war, is addressed. The major outcome of these events emphasized by the web site is the influence it had on art in the Mexican-American culture. However, the history and other ef fects on all Mexican-Americans throughout the United states is not discussed. I agre with Michelle Rosado that similar to the web site it [the documentary] does not talk about the very beggining of the Mexican-AmericanShow MoreRelatedAmerican History : The Mexican American War1363 Words   |  6 Pages Throughout American History, started from Jamestown Americans started to settle upon Native American land by wiping them out or forcing them to move west. By 1846 throughout 1848, Americans approach Mexican territory’s land which they were eager to conquer and Manifest Density that was unstoppable and a goal for the United States. The conflict was the Mexicans weren t going to give up their land because of a selfish belief and were provoked to go to war against a stronger nation. A war broke outRead MoreMexican American Forgotten in History1392 Words   |  6 PagesWorld War II brought forward the opportunity for many Mexican Americans to show their commitment to this country . United states was lacking men labor because of the recruitment of men for the army. This gave hope for many that wanted to escape their harsh lives back at home. This war was a fight for power and United States needed more support, which led them seeking help. Latinos made great contributions in Worl d War II efforts but still are those like Ken Burns who believes otherwise . WorldRead MoreAmerican History : The Mexican American War Essay1413 Words   |  6 Pagestoday was the Mexican-American war. This war not only shaped American politics for decades, but also fueled the sectional crisis that culminated into the infamous Civil War. Being the new country’s first armed conflict fought mainly on foreign soil, the war itself had several diplomatic implications that haunted politics for years to come. However, the war itself was fought for several political, social, and economic reasons and can be attributed with shaping the essence of American culture foreverRead More The Struggles of Mexicans in Mexican-American History Essay2031 Words   |  9 PagesThe Struggles of Mexicans in Mexican-American History Mexico’s problems originally began upon the arrival of the Spanish in 1492, as illustrated in Major Problems in Mexican American History by Zaragosa Vargas as well as in the video documentary, Chicano!. The sequence of events which date back to the precolonial Spanish days and take place in Mexico’s history eventually provoke the national movement that called for social justice and equality, especially after the signing of the Treaty of GuadalupeRead MoreMexican History And Its Effects On American Soil1626 Words   |  7 PagesThe way history is portrayed often changes depending on who is writing it and which country it is from, to really grasp an understanding of The Punitive Expedition through the eyes of Mexican history it is essential to analyze Mexican Textbooks and how they portray it. Analyzing Mexican history will not only give insight to what caused Villas attack on American Soil, feelings towards the Punitive expedition, and its causes, but justification for Pancho Villas attack on Columbus in the eyes of theRead MoreMexican History : Mexican American War, Cinco De Mayo, And The Mexican Revolution1273 Words   |  6 PagesWithin Mexican history, there are so many major events that occurred to shape Mexico into what it is today. However, there are a few specific events that had more of an impact on Mexico than others. Those events were the Pastry War, the Mexican-American War, Cinco de Mayo, and the Mexican Revolution. These events were the results of conflicts with the people of France, America, and Mexico itself. Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, dictator of Mexico at the time, played an immense role in Mexican historyRead More Major Problems in Mexican American History Essay2304 Words   |  10 PagesMajor Problems in Mexican American History Mexicans have been a people long oppressed. That is evident not only by the readings edited by Zaragosa Vargas in Major Problems in Mexican American History, but also by the the documentary Chicano!. The Mexicans’ past is underscored by conquest of the present-day American Southwest first by the Spanish and then by the United States following the Mexican American War. With other countries establishing control over them, Mexicans have never really beenRead MoreThe Mexican American War : An Important Part Of United States History Essay1928 Words   |  8 PagesMany historians consider the Mexican-American war to be an important part of United States’ history. It allowed the young nation to uncover what their true values were and come into its potential as a world power. The Mexican-American war cemented the United States’ role as a world power as the people banded together and put aside differences to secure the supremacy of their way of life. It expanded the val ues of the American society beyond parochial lives and improved the overall quality of lifeRead More Recovering History, Constructing Race: the Indian, Black, and White Roots of Mexican Americans1677 Words   |  7 PagesRecovering History, Constructing Race: the Indian, Black, and White Roots of Mexican Americans Recovering Aztlan : Racial Formation Through a Shared History (1) Traditionally history of the Americas and American population has been taught in a direction heading west from Europe to the California frontier. In Recovering History, Constructing Race, Martha Mencahca locates the origins of the history of the Americas in a floral pattern where migration from Asia, Europe, and Africa both voluntaryRead MoreMr. R J Is A 70-Year-Old Mexican American Male With A History1657 Words   |  7 PagesMr. R J is a 70-year-old Mexican American male with a history of type 2 diabetes and hypertension. He came to the emergency room with a left lower extremities blanching, erythema, mild swelling and warmth from dorsum of his foot to lateral calf. He is 5’5’’ tall, and his body mass index (BMI) is 36.6. After he had been admitted to the Medical/Surgical Unit, I walked into his room and introduced myself to him. I let him know that I would be his student nurse for the shift, and I would like to talk

Pursasive Paper on Why College Gap Years Are a Good Thing free essay sample

Another reason gap years are a good thing is that is enforces responsibility. When a student wants to undergo a gap year there are a lot of steps and processes that need to be made. Some might say that this might just overwhelm the student anyways, but it will not. It helps the students understand the responsibilities to have this goal of their pursued. Gap years, like stated before, are not just for getting out of school work for a year. By organizing your own gap year you are forced to take ownership and responsibility of your plan. You will have to decide where you are going to go, what exactly you are going to do and how you are going to pay for your trip. You may have to make your own travel plans and living arrangements. You are ultimately responsible for all the details that go into making your gap year dream become a reality. We will write a custom essay sample on Pursasive Paper on Why College Gap Years Are a Good Thing or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page A gap year student, Ashley Jamkins, graduate from University of Arkansas 2011 says, â€Å"When I first discussed gap year with my parents I did not realize just how much planning and organizing was going to be needed to make this happen. I am thankful though, because it made me an all-around better organized person in all aspects, not just in my schooling. † (Green). College is a child’s first time away from home, where no one is going to tell them to go do the work that needs to be done, planning a gap year and pursuing one definitely helps students get their head around being self-motivated and self-organized to get what they need to get done accomplished. Every parent’s worst nightmare is seeing their son or daughter get kicked out of school because they were lacking in school work and responsibilities. Gap years only help in the following fall for the responsibility students will not only need in college, but the rest of their lives. In conclusion, Students who take a gap year tend to be self-motivated, not afraid of taking a risk, not bound by conventions and open to explore their interests and discover their passions.

The Differences Between Aegean And Egyptian Art Essays -

The Differences Between Aegean And Egyptian Art The differences between Aegean and Egyptian Art The primary difference between Egyptian and Aegean art is that statutory and other forms of arts became more descriptive of the human form in the Aegean Art. The paintings of people stood on a flat base rather than in a naturalistic space. More features were being expressed. More female statutory and sculptors were being produced. An example of the visual difference is in the predominance of curvilinear form and the dynamic movements of figure in space. Although in the Toreador Fresco three different human figures are represented, their poses correspond to a sequence of movement that could be made by a single figure. Such depictions of time and sequencing are more characteristic of Minoan than of Egyptian iconography(120). The philosophical difference between Aegean art and Egyptian art is that Aegean focused upon the beauty of the art while Egyptian art was solely based upon keeping records and glorifying the kings, queens, and gods of their time. Aegean art glorified the human and focused on the beauties of the world. The Egyptians art was based on the reservation of the way of life and the rulers of the their time. They viewed art more as a record book. Throughout history the Aegean art made sufficient changes to get away from the Egyptian. This rare art and culture was remembered only in myths and legends Arts Essays