Upton Sinclair's - The Jungle

[Mucman]

I'm only 2/3 finished so no spoliers please!

I read that Upton Sinclair worked in the meat packaging industry for 6 months; during this time he wrote the book.
Some of the events in the book come across as being exagerrated, but are they? It was 1906, but I would still think
that it couldn't have been that bad.

Does anyone have any knowledge about the truthfulness of some of the meat packagin horrors of this time? I know
the book is a work of fiction, but the stories of "packingtown" are supposed to be influenced by Sinclair's experiences
in the factories.

 

[illusion88]

All of the horrible conditions are based off of his experiences. At least thats what I recall from the book.

 

[Whisper]

Yeah, most authors practice at least some creative freedom when detailing personally-experienced situations in works of fiction, but I believe that most everything in The Jungle actually happened or was based on fact. It was one of those "muckraking" books that you learn about in AP US History back in high school, and so its main purpose--I believe--was to bring these conditions to the attention of the general public.

Yay for the FDA

 

[rgwalt]

There really is no way of knowing how accurate the accounts are. I don't doubt he sensationalized the stories in order to make the story better, but even if half of what he said was true, the conditions were horrific. That being said, just wait for the last couple of chapters...

Just wait...

R

 

[Mucman]

btw, I am reading this book for my own personal enjoyment. I used to work in a meat packaging plant and I was interested
in seeing how things have changed (and boy have they changed!).

The book definitely does come off as a socialist advertisement, but that's not a bad thing as long as you use your brain
to make your own decisions. I think the story about Jurgis is a little far-fetched but isn't most fictional tales? I guess todays
"The Jungle" is "Fast Food Nation", but nobody seems to read anymore so I doubt very many people are getting the message.

 

[grrl]

You're 2/3 through the book? You can stop there. Once he starts preaching about socialism it gets boring.

Most likely Sinclair took some liberties, but the unhygenic conditions and terrible labor practices he describes have been well-documented.

It's like what Bismarck said about legislation and sausage, it's best not to see how either are made.

 

[chiwawa626]

Well its satire "mudslinging"...im sure its exagerated a bit, but for the most part truthful. That book is pretty disgusting, i read it a while back, im glad i dont remember details :disgust:

 

[chiwawa626]

Originally posted by: grrl
You're 2/3 through the book? You can stop there. Once he starts preaching about socialism it gets boring.

Most likely Sinclair took some liberties, but the unhygenic conditions and terrible labor practices he describes have been well-documented.

It's like what Bismarck said about legislation and sausage, it's best not to see how either are made.

Now that i remember, my teacher made us read only upto that socialism part, i hear its boring as hell.

 

[TallBill]

My sister has been to the bubbling creek.. and it still bubbles from the crap from the plant. That book is real.

 

[grrl]

Now that i remember, my teacher made us read only upto that socialism part, i hear its boring as hell.

Nice teacher.

 

[Mucman]

I found online that he wrote the book (and worked in the factories) for 7 weeks. If he got all of those events from
7 weeks of work, that's crazy!

 

[GagHalfrunt]

Originally posted by: grrl

Now that i remember, my teacher made us read only upto that socialism part, i hear its boring as hell.

Nice teacher.

Yup, nice teacher. Mine made us read the whole thing and even included some of the rantings on the test. Still, once you've read that book it's hard to ever have a hamburger without giving a silent thanks to Sinclair. It's hard to believe that he didn't take a few liberties with the truth to embellish the story a bit, but even allowing him a bit of poetic license the book is still one of the most important and impactful ever written.

 

[Darein]

I believe many of those events were accurate, now if he experienced them first hand is another matter. All I know is after reading that book I never have looked at canned meat the same way again.

 

[TheShiz]

if you want to read a good book about the current meat/fast food industry then check out:

Fast Food Nation amazon link

by

Eric Schlosser


it is a really interesting read. crazy things are still happening in the industry no doubt.

 

[chiwawa626]

heh i kinda dint mind the digusting parts of the book since im a vegetarian..lol

 

[TommyVercetti]

The book was not about how the meat we eat is prepared. He was trying to draw a picture of how terrible conditions are for the workers. The book was about socialism. He was aiming for the heart, but instead hit the stomach. His intension was not to blow the whistle on the meat packing industry.

 

[grrl]

Originally posted by: TommyVercetti
The book was not about how the meat we eat is prepared. He was trying to draw a picture of how terrible conditions are for the workers. The book was about socialism. He was aiming for the heart, but instead hit the stomach. His intension was not to blow the whistle on the meat packing industry.

True.