The Jungle

I chose to do my research paper on the novel written by Upton Sinclair in 1906, The Jungle. The Jungle was a book that ultimately revealed many imperfections that were taking place in our capitalist society, leading to laws that still exist today. Once The Jungle was finally published, President Roosevelt heard of the novel's hype and began to investigate. The disgusting and unbelievable things that were revealed about the meat-packing industry led to the Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906 which was altered and now exists as the FDA. I plan on basing my essay around the standards that our food administration has set around the world and how these standards have changed from before and after this novel was created.

Most books, TV shows, and movies can influence a culture or individual in numerous ways. The Jungle gives individuals a feeling of security knowing that what they are eating is highly regulated and created through a clean and pure process. To know this book created America's standards of how food is handled and processed behind closed doors is very unique. A lot of books and shows have influenced me and our society in terms of family, beliefs, etc., but not many books lead to such a huge change in the processes by which our country regulates. I will be mainly addressing the way our country views the food process behind closed doors and how this book opened the eyes to many. What we don't know about we dont think about, and this was definitely the case when meat-packing industries were grinding up all sorts of unsanitary things.