Upton Sinclair’s novel “The Jungle” goes deeper than a simple expose of the meat packing industry; Sinclair’s real goal was to provide an in-depth expose of society itself. Likewise ‘Fast Food Nation” by Eric Schlosser provides a more modern portrayal of the working class their struggle to survive in our times while their peers often live in excess. By analyzing the socialist messages within “The Jungle” and “Fast Food Nation” the corruption of capitalism and fallacy of the “American Dream” reveal the seedy underbelly of society.
The Desperation of the Working Class
Sinclair states that, “Packinghouse workers were ‘rats in a trap,’ that prostitutes fared better than ‘decent’ girls, and that ‘if you met a man who was raisingyou met a knave’” (Sinclair, pg. 134). Despite wanting to champion for their rights, Sinclair clearly holds a low view of the working class himself from his character depictions. Jurgis is often shown falling into the company of criminals and unwilling to speak out against the injustice he sees around him. He starts out as a very sympathetic character filled with hopes and dreams, but ends up a heavy drinker who abandons his family. This character study shows how determination and morality can be gradually wore away as the result of frequent exposure to corruption
When Kristoforas dies in “The Jungle”, the readers are shocked to discover that the family is relieved that Kristoforas has escaped their lifestyle and the burden will be lessened on the family (Sinclair, pg.119). Kristoforas death illustrates that point that the characters feel that death is the only escape for capitalism (Sinclair). Such desperation and fear tore apart the family in the novel and weakened their belief in themselves.
The following quote exemplifies the quote examines the worry of leaving behind their family due to their devotion of socialism, “They put him in a place where the snow could not beat in, where the cold could not eat through his bones; they brought him food and drink—why, in the name of heaven, if they must punish him, did they not put his family in jail and leave him outside—why could they find no better way to punish him than to leave three weak women and six helpless children to starve and freeze?” (Sinclair, pg.154) The conditions in which the characters of “The Jungle” lived did not afford them the time, money, health, or social acceptance to make a change on their own (Sinclair).
Schlosser’s depiction of the working class in “Fast Food Nation” shows an industry with very bad safety records. He also explains that many workers in the meat packing industry are non- English speaking and often poorly educated. ( Schlosser) Feedlots and slaughterhouses contribute to an influx of pollution that can bring on potential health problems to society. Schlosser alleges that the exploitation of works is common place in the industry (Schlosser).
Schlosser feels that the fast food industry relies on classism to survive. By hiring the already poverty stricken, the industry takes advantage by offering lower wages knowing that these people desperately need the job and are not in a position to bargain for higher wages (Schlosser). Those that ask for higher wages are simply fired. The turnover rate for the fast food industry is very high, but the industry doesn’t care because there is still an influx of people who need jobs. Schlosser states, “Did somebody say McUnion? [] Not if they want to keep their McJob.”(Schlosser, pg.49).
Methods Used to Convey the Message of the Working Class
Written in the height of the industrial age, one can surmise that Sinclair wrote “The Jungle” to provide a voice for social justice. His emphasis on human rights issues and equality within social classes was sadly misconstrued by many readers at the time. Officials were inspired to enact the Pure Food and Drug Act and the Meat Inspection Act of 1906, as a result of “The Jungle”, yet ignored Sinclair’s concerns about worker rights (Sinclair).
So why didn’t this powerful novel provoke the response Sinclair intended? One may argue that society was simply ill-prepared to receive Sinclair’s message in 1906, in essence Sinclair was “before his time’. With the great influx of immigrant works and industry in America it would take society many years to catch up with the rapid growth of industry and population.
Many felt that Sinclair distorted the facts to present his own agenda. For example, Sinclair accuses the meat packing industry of having human parts mixed in with their sausages, while in truth examination of the meat packers accused by Sinclair provided no evidence to support his claims. His lack of evidence to support his beliefs led him to slander major industries in support of propaganda for the socialist cause. Industries accused by Sinclair retaliated by making a “beef trust” whose goal was to ruin Sinclair’s credibility (Sinclair).
Sinclair eventually admitted that his own financial woes affected his writing. He was destitute and unable to support his family at the time “The Jungle” was written (Sinclair). His bitterness towards capitalism led to put forward unjust statements. He admits to not following up on accusations he made because of his own financial inability to travel to packing districts to substantiate the facts (Sinclair).
Schlosser states, “The history of the twentieth century was dominated by the struggle against totalitarian systems of state power. The twenty-first will no doubt be marked by a struggle to curtail excessive corporate power.” (Schlosser, pg.112) This statement connects “Fast Food Nation” to its predecessor “The Jungle.” Schlosser’s message is meant to have a shock value, however unlike “The Jungle” Schlosser can back up his claims with fact instead of fiction. Schlosser does sensationalize some instances, but he also carefully researches the whole industry from farm to table. Schlosser breaks down each process to find flaws in the process. He doesn’t however provide an unbiased account. He doesn’t relate any positive aspects of the industry and focuses entirely on the negative.
Schlosser’s methods did cause quite a stir in America, but didn’t cause any real change to the way American’s eat. Other than causing a bit of discussion and “grossing out” a few readers, most of America is still eating fast food. Conditions for works remain the same. One might say the Schlosser’s methods didn’t prove effective in terms of results.
Conclusion
In summary, “Fast Food Nation” and “The Jungle” both express horrors related to the food industry. The trials these works faced in chronicled in both books. Both authors endeavor to cause change by “shocking” their audience. Both books did not achieve the goals the authors hoped for.
Works Cited:
, ed. "Fast Food Nation." McSpotlight. N.p.. Web. 10 Dec 2012.
, ed. "Fast Food Nation." New York Times. N.p.. Web. 10 Dec 2012.
The jungle by upton sinclair . Web. 2011, March 2. Retrieved from http://thejunglebookproject.blogspot.com/2011/03/thesis-evolution.html
Schlosser, E. (2008) Fast Food Nation. Del Rey. Print.
Sinclair, U. (2001). The jungle. Dover Publications.Print.
Upton sinclair’s the jungle failed to deliver its socialist message . (2011, March 2). Retrieved from http://thejunglebookproject.blogspot.com/2011/03/upton-sinclairs-jungle-failed-to.html
