Muckraker: Upton Sinclair s The Jungle

Transcription

1 Muckraker: Upton Sinclair s The Jungle Dialogues During the early twentieth century, the term muckraker was created. The term referred to journalists who examined social issues. They investigated the living conditions in prisons and slums. They also investigated unhealthy conditions in food-processing plants. One of the most notable examples of muckraking occurred with the publication of Upton Sinclair s The Jungle. This book described many issues plaguing the American public, including poverty, horrendous working and living conditions, and corruption in local governments. Although the book concluded the American economic and political systems were so dysfunctional only a socialist revolution could save them, that was not the main idea that most readers remembered. Sinclair s graphic descriptions of the appalling conditions in the meat-packing industry have shocked most readers of The Jungle. CICERO

2 Characters: Upton Sinclair Moderator Gustavus Franklin Swift J. Ogden Armour Narrator Narrator: This is a lecture hall in New York City. A debate has been scheduled to discuss conditions in the meat-packing industry. The moderator has summoned Upton Sinclair, author of The Jungle, to this important conference. The moderator also has called Gustavus Franklin Swift and J. Ogden Armour, two prominent leaders in the meat-packing industry. President Theodore Roosevelt has stated this meeting is to set new rules and regulations for the meat-packing industry. Swift: Gentlemen, thank you for attending this important meeting on such short notice. However, desperate times have called for desperate measures. Over the last few months, there have been numerous concerns raised due to the revelations in Mr. Sinclair s book. I have brought Mr. Sinclair here to explain the matters described in the book. However, before we begin, let me make the formal introductions: Mr. Sinclair, this is Gustavus Swift of the Swift Meat Packing Industry and J. Armour of the Armour and Company Meat Packing Industry. It is a pleasure to meet you both, although I am not sure how welcoming your greetings will be to me. (very coldly) To say that it would be a pleasure to meet you would not be the truth. Mr. Sinclair, do you know how much damage you have caused to my reputation and my well-being. My company received a significant amount of unjustified criticism. You, sir, have put my company in financial jeopardy, all because of that rag you call a book. I, too, echo the sentiments of Mr. Swift. Mr. Sinclair, your book has caused much distress to markets that have been buying my meat for several years. We are losing customers because of you. Your book has caused me financial hardship. I am shocked you have the audacity to appear before me right now. CICERO

3 Swift: (sternly) Gentlemen, you may seem to forget that I invited Mr. Sinclair to come to this meeting. Although his book has caused you financial difficulty, The Jungle has enlightened America about some of the horrendous conditions in your warehouses. I do not appreciate your tone of voice, nor your outright disrespect to Mr. Sinclair. I apologize, Mr. Sinclair; but please, state your findings from your book so we can begin resolving this matter. Thank you, sir, I can understand why these two men are upset with me. However, we have greater issues at hand than their personal feelings. You see, men, during my research, I have made notes about the numerous accidents that have occurred while your workers were on the job. In some of these cases, there are work-related deaths. In some instances, workers actually have fallen into the meat-processing tanks and been ground in with the meat you sell to markets across the United States. In addition, rats, mice, and their fecal matter have been discovered in these meat products. This is the horrendous condition of your industry. Mr. Sinclair, with all due respect, you are just a writer who is very unsure of his sources. I believe muckraker is the correct term that applies to someone such as you. Your only purpose in the literary world is to cause panic and fear in the American public. You might think you are making America a better place; but for the majority of us, you re making our lives very difficult. Well, I am sorry you are offended by my writing, sir. Nevertheless, the conditions in both of your warehouses are indefensible. It baffles me that you can sit there confident that you have done nothing wrong. It is intolerable to me that the two of you earn a living by distributing tainted meat to an unknowing public. (getting annoyed) I have had just enough of this. (to the moderator) I thank you for extending me the invitation to join this meeting. However, it is apparent that Mr. Sinclair is nothing but a gossiper and an admitted socialist, someone who is trying to destroy valuable American businesses. I will see my way out. CICERO

4 Narrator: The moderator, who has been listening intently during this entire episode, finally breaks his silence. Although he is angered, the moderator does not raise his voice. However, he asserts his authority to calm tensions. Gentlemen, the purpose of this meeting was to hear Mr. Sinclair, not to persecute him for the information presented in his book. We all want to arrive at a resolution for this crisis. This was to be a peaceful discussion, not one in which tempers flare. Narrator: Swift and Armour begin to modulate their anger toward Sinclair. Sinclair collects himself and continues speaking on the conditions in the meat-packing industry. As I was saying, gentlemen, the list of atrocities continues, because of the corruption in your industry. Not only do you hire people at a minimum wage, but you also treat women and children working at your warehouses terribly. I m sure both of you have families. What would you think if your wives were forced to work in such conditions to say nothing of your children! You have exploited your workers past the point of decency! America has been called the land of opportunity. The only opportunity you are offering your workers is meager pay and no lasting benefits (angered) That is unbelievable! These are false accusations by a propagandist! I do not believe these accusations are false, sir. Many individuals from your warehouses have spoken privately with government officials. Miss Tina Johnson spoke of harassment by many male workers in your warehouse, Mr. Armour. Moreover, Mr. Swift, two men have come forth who witnessed the accident that claimed the life of Mr. P. Arthur Dixon, who fell into one of the meat-processing tanks. When these men told their superiors about this, they were ignored. One supervisor said, it did not matter and the main goal of the business was to make money any way possible. CICERO

5 Narrator: At this point, both Armour and Swift have been sitting in silence. They do not know what to make of this new information. From the looks on their faces, it is apparent that they were not fully aware of the conditions in their warehouses. However, both men continue their defiance, refusing to believe the information they have just heard. Swift: I was not aware this happened. Until I see further proof, I will not believe it. When Mr. Dixon fell into the meat-processing tank, I was alerted about the tragedy. However, I was told that as soon as it occurred, the tanks immediately were shut off; and the remains and meat that mixed was discarded. I am still skeptical of these charges and will need further proof. I still feel Mr. Sinclair is nothing more than a radical, and his charges mean nothing to me. These allegations about my company also shock me. However, I will need physical proof. Until I have that proof, I believe I have done nothing wrong. Gentlemen, in time you will hear the proof. Narrator: In the a few months, President Theodore Roosevelt approved legislation to investigate the meat-packing industry. Conditions in the meat-packing industry turned out to be worse than those documented in The Jungle. Congressional proposals made steady improvements in the meat-packing industry. Sinclair s The Jungle had a tremendous effect on the American public. Sales of meat began to plummet in foreign countries. Losing money, the meat-packing industry requested additional federal inspections to ensure a safe and healthy working environment. The industry wanted to prove to the American public that it was not processing unhealthy meat. The response from Sinclair s book led to the passage of both the Meat Inspection Act and the Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906, which instituted federal regulations of many products in both the food and medicine industries. CICERO

6 Name: Discussion Questions: Muckraker (Upton The Jungle) Dialogues Date: 1. Why was the debate of Upton Sinclair, J. Ogden Armour, and Gustavus Franklin Swift organized? 2. According to Sinclair, what were some of the atrocities in the meat-packing warehouses? 3. What changes were made to the meat-packing industry? CICERO