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MARXIST CRITICISM 2
The Jungle by Upton Sinclair is a 1906 novel revealing the harsh condition and how
immigrants were exploited in the United States. The primary intention of the author was
exploring the meant industry and the working conditions in an effort to develop socialism in the
country. The novel is a literary masterpiece that will make anyone turn vegan. Following
publication, it became very controversial throughout the United States. The manner in which
Sinclair has described unethical business doings, unhygienic Chicago’s meatpacking market
and unfair working environments made many Americans subscribe to his philosophy and
ideology.
Deducing from the Marxist criticism school of thought, it is apparent that The Jungle is
a uniquely strange text. The theories of renowned philosopher Karl Max concerns itself with
variations in class and economic systems. Similarly, Sinclair has tried to explore the
socioeconomic system through the class in America and the working condition thus answering
the question of whom does it benefit. Moreover, the author, in line with Marxist tradition was
interested in examining how the lower class or rather the working classes were being treated
unfairly and that is the core reason for him to base his book on the meat industry. It is a
uniquely strange novel basing on the fact that it has remained relevant for a very long time and
apart from just being a text denoting the accounts of class and economic conditions, it has also
turned out to be a significant historic book. Also, it has earned notable controversial critics
states that the things that drive historical change are usually material realities particularly the
ones from the economic foundation of a certain society. On the other hand, it declines the
notion that historical change is determined basing on the ideological superstructure upon which
the politics, law, and religion of society have been based. In The Jungle, the author narrates
how the hostile working conditions and poverty among the immigrant citizens worsened by the
corrupt politicians and business people led to public outcry and later reforms such as the
introduction of Meat Inspection Act. This is a depiction of materialistic dialect as it can be seen
that the people in power, the law, and the general ideological superstructure did not drive
change but rather what brought change to the people is the poor conditions and worse working
conditions which fall under material realities. Also, another instance of materialistic dialect and
its influence over historical change can be deduced from the story of Jurgis in the novel. Jurgis
poverty level is what drove him to work in a meatpacking plant. When he was fired, he took
another job in Durhams firm dealing in plant manure. Later, he is arrested and imprisoned.
From these successive incidences, material realities are evident and they are the forces behind
the change. It can be seen the law, politics, and ideologies did not play part in changing the
situation of Jurgis family and thus confirms Marxist criticism of philosophical inclination.
While in jail, his family is evicted from the house that they were living in making their life
worse. This incidence also coincides with Marxists school of thought that historical change is
brought about by the realities in life deduced from the daily happenings.
The revolution
Basing on the Marxist criticism, constant conflicts between different classes within the
society brings about the mayhem and ultimately revolution which is stirred by the oppressed
MARXIST CRITICISM 4
individuals. Usually, it’s the conflict between the oppressed and the oppressors that becomes
obliterated. Marx stated that the working class or rather the oppressed groups are the ones who
lead a revolution and not the peasants. From Sinclair’s book, it is the continuous discrimination
of the working class the led to the public outcry. For this public outcry, the revolution was
started which led to changes both in the social activities and even the economy of the society
Summing up, Sinclair through his book The Jungle has exclusively explored the evils of
capitalism. Every event within the book has been designed to address specific failures relating
to capitalism. Just like Marxist perceives capitalism as unfair, destructive and hostile, so is
Sinclair in his novel. In the novel, when the immigrants came to the United States, they had the
notion that they would live the American dream. However, due to capitalism, the people in
power took advantage of them and made their life miserable. Despite working, the immigrants
continued to live in poverty which reflects the material realities and how they drive change. It
is due to the constant oppression and conflicts between the rich and the poor that drives
revolution that later leads to equality, especially in socialism just as implied by Karl Marx