Writing Techniques in The Jungle

The Jungle Techniques

Sinclair saw The Jungle as a narrative setting forth the effects of "a system which exploits the labor of men and women for profits." He wished to avoid journalistic exposition: "What Socialism there will be in this book, will, of course, be imminent; it will be revealed by incidents — there will be no sermons." For most of the novel, Sinclair is true to his planned technique. The narrative follows the adventures of the protagonist in a naturalistic environment where only the ruthless survive. Vivid description of outrageous industrial practices insured audiences' reception of the story as actual fact and produced at least some of the social reform hoped for by the author. The novel begins with the vesilija, a Lithuanian wedding feast, an expression of individual hope and confidence in a society directed by traditional values. Jurgis, the central character, is then bombarded by episode after episode, each constructed...
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