Question

How does Upton Sinclair's novel "The Jungle" elaborate on the values of Big Business during the Gilded Age?

a. It portrays Big Business as ethical and responsible, focusing on its contributions to society.

b. It exposes the harsh working conditions, exploitation, and corruption within Big Business, highlighting the negative aspects.

c. It emphasizes Big Business's commitment to environmental sustainability and philanthropy.

d. It suggests that Big Business played a minor role during the Gilded Age.

Answer 1

Upton Sinclair's 'The Jungle' exposes the exploitation and corruption in Big Business during the Gilded Age, and its impact led to major regulatory reforms in the meatpacking industry.

Step-by-step explanation:

Upton Sinclair's novel The Jungle is a poignant exploration of the values of Big Business during the Gilded Age. Sinclair's work aligns with option b as it exposes the harsh working conditions, exploitation, and corruption within Big Business, particularly in the meatpacking industry. Through the narrative of Jurgis Rudkus, a Lithuanian immigrant working in the Chicago meatpacking industry, Sinclair illustrates the dire situations faced by workers and the unsanitary practices that ultimately led to widespread public outrage. This outrage contributed to significant reforms, including the passage of the Federal Meat Inspection Act and the Pure Food and Drug Act in 1906. The novel thus served as a catalyst for regulatory changes ensuring safer working conditions and consumer protection.