Tuesday, February 18, 2014
The Jungle ch.2 to 5
I have read the Jungle before but I think it will be good to go back and read it again. I forgot that in the beginning of the book the tone is so optimistic. Jurgis represents everything that is great about America. He wants to do honest work and make his way in the new world. The think the beginning of the book really starts off like a Horatio Alger story that is very much ingrained in the American consciousness. Perhaps Upton Sinclair wants the reader to think of Jurgis as a soon to be rags to riches figure climbing the social ladder to wealth and predominance, which I guess is the American Dream. The part when Jurgis and his family are offered a loan for a house reminds me of the whole recent sub-prime mess. Optimistic immigrants coming to this country only to be stuck in dirty low paying jobs still occurs. So far reading the Jungle has illuminated many present day social conditions by giving the similarity to those conditions in the early part of the 20th century. I am excited the read more of the Jungle and figure out how this story all plays out as I have forgotten much of it. I happened to come across a book review the other about the history of the meatpacking industry which was very interesting that goes along with our reading, although coming to somewhat different conclusions.
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I am intrigued by the connections you make to Horatio Alger and the subprime debacle. I tried to read the article you suggested but apparently I can't read Wall Street Journal pieces... it won't let me. I suppose because I don't have a subscription.
ReplyDeleteI've read it before as well, only I could hardly stomach the thought of reading it again. I too forgot that the beginning was so light-hearted and easygoing.
ReplyDeleteI've heard of the myth before, but I never had a name to go with it. When I first read the book, my class made that connection as well. Good catch!