In 1906, Doubleday published a reality-based fiction novel centered on the lives of immigrants in Chicago's meatpacking district. “The Jungle” was written by Upton Sinclair, a 27-year-old author from Baltimore with a $500 advance from a socialist newspaper. This novel quickly became a center of controversy and change in the United States. Although best known for its gruesome depiction of living conditions in slaughterhouses, only 60 pages of the 413 pages that make up "The Jungle" detail the activities of the meat slaughtering industry. Sinclair's book was intended as a political and social commentary on the plight of workers at the turn of the century. Oddly enough, the story opens with a wedding. The protagonist, Jurgis Rudkus, a Lithuanian immigrant, marries Ona Lukoszaite. Even on this joyous day, the outlook looks bleak for this young couple. Although many came to celebrate, few brought the traditional gift of money to help the couple start their lives. This theme of economic hardship that is revealed within the first five minutes of reading will continue as a premise throughout the rest of the story. The timeline of the book is somewhat convoluted as the focus now shifts to when Jurgis first looks for work. in the Chicago meatpacking district. Nicknamed “Packingtown,” these employers reveal only a small glimpse of the industry to the public and potential employees. Companies make wild claims saying they "use everything pork except squeal!" » This makes Jurgis feel proud and confident of his choice to join this industry. He feels like the American dream that was passed down to him is indeed true and that he can succeed in the new world. Ho...... middle of paper ...despite losing to John Galsworthy. His work inspired three major pieces of food safety legislation and earned him two trips to the White House six decades apart. He campaigned unsuccessfully for the United States House of Representatives, the United States Congress, and the governorship of California. The imagery his words provided in "The Jungle" left America with an angry voice and an upset stomach and his work is unlikely to be forgotten. Works Cited DeGruson, G. (1988) Twentieth-Century Literary Criticism. Retrieved March 21, 2010, from http://www.enotes.com/twentieth-century-criticism/jungle-upton-sinclair/gene-degruson-essay-date-1988 McDowell, E. (1988, August 22). The Sinclair Jungle with all the mud restored. New York Times, C15. Sinclair, U. (1906). The jungle. Chicago: Doubleday. Wasowski, R. (2001). Sinclair's Principles of Socialism.