Jungle Paper, Social Justice
Running Head: IMPRESSIONS OF THE JUNGLE FROM A SOCIAL JUSTICE PERSPECTIVE
Impressions of the Jungle From a Social Justice Perspective
The Jungle by Upton Sinclair
Sherree Boyce
Lehman College
Author Note
This paper was prepared for Social Welfare Institutions and Program, SWK, 639, Section 81, taught by Professor Yvonne Johnson
The novel, The Jungle by Upton Sinclair depicts the lives of poor immigrants in the United States during the early 1900’s. Sinclair is extremely effective in this novel at identifying and expressing the perils and social concerns of immigrants during this era. The turmoil that immigrants faced was contingent on societal values during the era. There was a Social Darwinist sentiment of “survival of the fittest” and the poor members of society were almost disregarded and not treated as human beings. Sinclair gives a descriptive account as to the moral dilemmas that the stockyard industry enforced on the immigrants, who were forced to assimilate into a capitalist society. In the event that the social service programs, institutions, laws that are available today were present in the early 1900’s, immigrants would not have suffered the degree of destitution and helplessness as depicted in the Jungle.
The main character in The Jungle, Jurgis, was a Lithuanian immigrant that believed in the American Dream and earnestly believed he could accomplish great financial success if he worked hard enough. (Sinclair, 1906) Jurgris and his father (Antanas Rudkus aka Dede Antanas) migrated to America with his paramour, Ona (who later became his wife) and her family members Jonas (Ona’s brother), Marija (Ona’s cousin), Elzbieta (Ona’s step-mother) and Elzbieta’s and her six children from eldest to youngest; Stanislovas, Kotrina Nikolas, Vilma, Jokubas, Kristoforas. Upon arrival to America Jurgis, Ona and their family settled in Packingtown, Chicago which was the base of numerous meat packing plants. Initially Jurgis,
Impressions of the Jungle From a Social Justice Perspective
The Jungle by Upton Sinclair
Sherree Boyce
Lehman College
Author Note
This paper was prepared for Social Welfare Institutions and Program, SWK, 639, Section 81, taught by Professor Yvonne Johnson
The novel, The Jungle by Upton Sinclair depicts the lives of poor immigrants in the United States during the early 1900’s. Sinclair is extremely effective in this novel at identifying and expressing the perils and social concerns of immigrants during this era. The turmoil that immigrants faced was contingent on societal values during the era. There was a Social Darwinist sentiment of “survival of the fittest” and the poor members of society were almost disregarded and not treated as human beings. Sinclair gives a descriptive account as to the moral dilemmas that the stockyard industry enforced on the immigrants, who were forced to assimilate into a capitalist society. In the event that the social service programs, institutions, laws that are available today were present in the early 1900’s, immigrants would not have suffered the degree of destitution and helplessness as depicted in the Jungle.
The main character in The Jungle, Jurgis, was a Lithuanian immigrant that believed in the American Dream and earnestly believed he could accomplish great financial success if he worked hard enough. (Sinclair, 1906) Jurgris and his father (Antanas Rudkus aka Dede Antanas) migrated to America with his paramour, Ona (who later became his wife) and her family members Jonas (Ona’s brother), Marija (Ona’s cousin), Elzbieta (Ona’s step-mother) and Elzbieta’s and her six children from eldest to youngest; Stanislovas, Kotrina Nikolas, Vilma, Jokubas, Kristoforas. Upon arrival to America Jurgis, Ona and their family settled in Packingtown, Chicago which was the base of numerous meat packing plants. Initially Jurgis,
References: 3. ^ Maslow, Abraham (1954). Motivation and Personality. New York: Harper. pp. 236. 4 11. ^ Hofstede, G (1984). "The cultural relativity of the quality of life concept". Academy of Management Review 9 (3): 389–398. doi:10.2307/258280. http://www.nyegaards.com/yansafiles/Geert%20Hofstede%20cultural%20attitudes.pdf. 12