In The Jungle, capitalism is
described as destructive because it is shown as favoring corruption between those in
power while it denies social progress and advancement to the working class. American
capitalism destroys the social and economic hopes of Jurgis Rudkus's immigrant
family. In their move from Lithuania to America, they had hoped to find economic wealth
and freedom. Instead, they find themselves almost reduced into slavery, forced to work
in humiliating conditions to make ends meet. The literal destruction of the family comes
when Jurgis's wife, Ona, dies in childbirth. The famous scene of the slaughtered cattle
functions as a metaphor for the workers'
conditions.
Capitalism also allows those in power to get
richer and to prosper through corruption. The bosses of the meatpacking industry can
continue to violate health prescriptions to their economic advantage because they bribe
health inspectors (the book caused a detailed enquiry which resulted in the passing of
stricter legislation on food processing).
To Jurgis, the
appeal of socialism is precisely its call for equality and common good rather than the
capitalist emphasis on wealth.
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