The Jungle

It’s remarkable how families come to America not knowing anyone, our culture or even the language.  This novel is relevant in many ways to our discussions in class of about the meat packing industry and the lives of immigrant workers. These families are seeking riches, security and freedom that may not be obtainable in their native country. Jurgis is no different than any other immigrant worker coming to this county trying to make a living only to be subjected to low wages and indescribable accumulations of filth.

As I continue to read The Jungle, by Upton Sinclair I can’t help but to notice how graphically detailed the explanation is of Jurgis’s new job. I’m not sure if I could work in such horrific conditions that have been described.  The atmosphere is really put into perspective when they describe that every hour four to five hundred cattle are turned into meat.  Not to mention the cows are treated terribly by being shocked and poisoned, their throats being slit, and being hung by their feet.  One fascinating part of the book thus far is the fact they use every part of the animal.  The bones are used for fertilizer, the bristle can be cleaned and dried to make hair cushions and the feet can be made into glue. Another part I to be interesting is how some meat is marker with a “kosher” sign, which indicates the meat has been killed by special methods and processes.  This meat is intended to be eaten by Orthodox Jew in conformance with Leviticus 17.10-14, based on the dietary laws of the Hebrew Bible.