Imagery is used most heavily in this novel. I believe that Upton Sinclare used imagery the most because it makes it more interesting. If it wasn't for all the imagery, I wouldn't be able to read "The Jungle" at all.
In the novel, Jurgis goes through may changes. He starts as a hopeful groom who has just barely felt how hard it is to survive in Chicago. He ends up a socialism speaker who fights for civil rights for everybody, but only after he is a desperate worker, who can barley earn enough to feed his family, and a beggar. Sinclare uses the imagery to show his change in circumstance and attitude towards life. If the author did not use imagery, we would not be able to really understand how his attitude towards life changes.
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i read the same book to, but i said the main literary element is simile, but after reading this i can understand your point and arguement as well.
ReplyDeleteI thought that motif was more prominant, there were many symbols such as the housing agent, the police force, and the meat inspectors, representing the corruption and deception of the meat industry. Sinclair wrote this book to bring attention to the horrible living conditions of the average factory worker, and I don't think he used imagery to get that point across.
ReplyDeleteI read The Jungle for the summer reading assignment and i agree with Evan that motif to show the corruption of Chicago and Packingtown was most prominent. The imagery did really enhance the disgusting situation of meatpacking so that would work too.
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