Food And Labor Industry In The Jungle And Food Inc.

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The food and labor industry touches almost every single person’s life in America. Yet, this sprawling aspect of our day-to-day lives is kept under wraps as far as how it operates. Many individuals have sought to shed light on this corrupt industry throughout time. Two of these attempts include the publishing of The Jungle by Upton Sinclair and the production of Food Inc. in 2008. The Jungle was published in 1906 by Sinclair as an attempt to expose the corruption present in the Chicago stockyards. Likewise, Food Inc. is a modern exposé on the food and labor industry. The shock value of both works is the truth of how much consumers are not aware of, and how much has not changed since 1906. Though the food and labor industry has seen improvements …show more content…

Sinclair writes of a Lithuanian family who came to America and is taken advantage of at every possible opportunity. They, along with thousands of other immigrants, are tricked into voting illegally, fall into the trap of slave wages, and are kept purposely ignorant of their rights as citizens. Though Jurgis finds a happy ending where he is educated of his rights and redeemed by socialism, the same is not the case for immigrants in present day America. Immigrants today are enticed by flyers sent to Mexico promising plentiful work and even more plentiful opportunity for wealth and happiness. They are then set to work in unsafe factories without being aware of what they are getting themselves into. When they are unable to keep up with the work, the industries call immigration agencies and have the undocumented workers deported. Not only must they deal with unfair wages and long work days, they must also live in fear of being ripped from their new lives and sent away. Food and labor industries have a long way to go for safe and fair conditions for …show more content…

present two glimpses into the food industry, one in 1906 and one in present day. Together the two works show how regulations have improved, but the treatment of animals and workers has actually worsened. Sinclair exposes what he believes to be the most extreme and disturbing conditions that have ever been seen in an industry, yet Food Inc. proves that perhaps the worst was yet to come. The United States of America has taken great strides in new technology and food breakthroughs, yet it has overlooked what necessitated improvement to begin with. The U.S. will truly reach the greatest level of achievement in the food industry when it focuses on improving the treatment of both animals and the work

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