How "The Jungle" Changed American Food | The Poison Squad | American Exp...

[" The book realistically depicts working-class poverty, immigrant struggle, lack of social support or welfare, harsh living and dangerous working conditions, generating hopelessness or cynicism and cruelty among the powerless. These elements are contrasted with the deeply rooted corruption of people in power. A review by Sinclair's contemporary, writer Jack London, compared The Jungle to America's most famous novel written to expose a cruel system, by calling it 'the Uncle Tom's Cabin of wage slavery.' " ][3] FROM WIKIPEDIA While Sinclair in describing the meat industry and its working conditions wanted to advance socialism,[4] the novel's most immediate impact was to provoke public outcry over passages exposing health issues and unsanitary practices in the American meat-packing industry during the early 20th century. This led to sanitation reforms including the Meat Inspection Act and other product safety legislation. " ]