The+Jungle

DESCRIPTION:
The Jungle, by Upton Sinclair, was published in 1906. It was meant as social criticism of the plight of the poor and the corruption of a meatpacking industry that cared little for its workers.

The Jungle Wiki - judging a book by its cover

SUGGESTED CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES:
This text pairs well with //Fast Food Nation//, as it highlights many similar issues with the meatpacking industry in the early 20th century. Indeed, Schlosser mentions this classic work in his discussion of contemporary issues....which, now that it has been over one hundred years since Sinclair's novel was published, begs the question:


 * Has anything actually changed, or has it just gotten worse?**

Students might do some historical research into life at the time of publication. What was our nation like then? What was the response of the meatpacking industry to the book? The government's response? When was the FDA (Food & Drug Administration) formed and for what purpose? Has that helped?

Here's a great source: a PBS series of lessons on life as it is presented in //The Jungle//.

Also, you can download, by Signet Classics (written by Victoria Allen).