Dec 15, 2009

The Jungle | Topics for Discussion

1. What elements in the plot have caused critics to accuse The Jungle of being too melodramatic to be classified as good literature?

2. "Muckraking" is a term applied to investigative journalism intent on effecting social change, often to the point of abandoning any pretext at objective reporting. Why have some critics called The Jungle a muckraking novel?

3. Does Sinclair consider Jurgis moral or immoral? In Sinclair's view is it sinful to become a thief or prostitute?

4. Most "naturalistic" fiction ends on a pessimistic note and suggests that man...