The Jungle

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The narrative centers on Jurgis Rudkus, an immigrant navigating the brutal realities of early 20th-century Chicago's stockyards, where he faces exploitation and the grim realities of the meatpacking industry. Sinclair vividly portrays the horrific working conditions, aiming for social reform, which ultimately influenced food safety legislation. An introduction by Russ Castronovo explores the tension between historical accuracy and literary form, questioning the classification of Sinclair's work as either propaganda or literature, and its enduring relevance over a century later.