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ESSAY CATEGORY: History
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Sinclairs Purpose in Writing The Jungle  
Grade: 93
Language: english
System: Chippenham County, Virginia
Country: USA
Authors Comments:   Boring book - teacher loved the essay

Teachers Comments:   excellent interpretation    
    April 16, 1995
HIS 201
4/16/1995

Sinclair's Purpose in Writing The Jungle

Upton Sinclair wrote this book for a couple of reasons. First
and foremost, he tries to awaken the reader to the terrible
living conditions of immigrants in the cities around the turn of
the century. Chicago has the most potent examples of these
conditions. Secondly, he attempts to show the advantages of
socialism in helping to remedy the problems of a society such as
the one that exists in Chicago at this time.

Sinclair accomplishes his objectives with an extremely
powerful story. Jurgis Rudkus and his family seem to be an
average immigrant family of the period. They are not wealthy and
they are easily fooled by schemes designed to take what little
they have. The language barrier encountered by these people is a
major factor in allowing them to be swindled. The immigrants of
this period tend to trust anyone who is fluent in their native
language.

This fact is put to use twice early in their time in
America. A Lithuanian lawyer is sought to read over the contract
for the purchase of their house. Jurgis is suspicious when the
lawyer and the agent are on a first name basis. However, when
the lawyer tells him that it is a legal and fair document, Jurgis
believes him. The lawyer does not tell him of the loopholes that
will eventually lead to the loss of the house.

After Jurgis works in the packing house for a while, a man
tells him in Lithuanian that he can now become a citizen. Jurgis
is then registered to vote, and told about one of the candidates.
Nothing is said of the... [continues]

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