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Capitalism In Upton Sinclair's The Jungle

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America is well known around the world for its great wealth and prosperity. Many people from other countries come to America in search of religious freedom, happiness, and in general a better life for themselves. America’s economy is based around the system known as capitalism. Capitalism is a system where means of production is privately ran. Meaning the government does not have control over corporations, or prices of goods. Any American can earn money as they see fit. You can start a business selling books, out of your garage, which may turn into the biggest online retailer in existence. Or you could work in a factory, earning a living with your hands. In many ways capitalism is seen as a great system. The people who work hard, usually reap the rewards of their labor. In the novel The Jungle by Upton Sinclair we follow the story of a Lithuanian immigrant Jurgis, and his family, on their struggles in the early nineteenth century America. Jurgis starts to feel like an outcast in this strange new place. The economic system of capitalism makes Jurgis feel …show more content…
He was a strong young man who could work hard to make his living, he had his Ona by his side. He felt as though America was a land of riches. He was soon to change these aspirations. Capitalism made Jurgis believe everyone, and everything was a big lie. He viewed the advertisements that surrounded Packingtown, they all were lies. He was constantly being told what to buy. The storekeepers, the men that employed him “from top to bottom it was nothing but one gigantic lie” (92). Jurgis felt as if being honest was something that was uncommon in America. He fails to see this is the way capitalism works, you must get your goods out to the consumers. The advertisements are meant to get people to want these products. Jurgis, not being use to this type of economic style, felt this was some sort of trickery. People growing up in America, are used to these

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