"The Jungle," by Upton Sinclair is a writing meant to advocate for the working man; the novel is a socialist tract. The book shows the reader through the life of Jurgis, a Lithuanian immigrant, the benefits that could be obtain through becoming a socialist society and the downfalls of remaining one biased on capitalism. By pointing out the downfalls of capitalism we see the advantages of socialism. Sinclair uses Jurgis to appeal to our hearts and souls. He describes the trials and defeats of the poor at the hands of those who have more wealth. By allowing ourselves to become the protagonist we see the way the system beats down the working man until all hope and goodness is gone from him, till his spirit and physical being is strangled, tortured to death. The family of Jurgis was one most American readers could relate to. The values portrayed by the Lithuanian family of immigrants: honesty,family and strength crossed the boundaries of class, religion, and ethnicity. Upton made it easy for the reader to see himself in Jurgis and to see how socialism would benefit him, the reader. During the time of the books publication there was much dissatisfaction in the nation. The government, political systems and police were corrupt. There were few labor laws, building codes or health inspections. Those that were in effect could easily be overrode with bribes or gifts. A million and three-quarters of children (were) engaged in earning their living in the United States. These children of the poor were forced into unsafe jobs so their families could eat. The children of the rich were able to go to school, while the children of the poor needed to work and work for less wages than other doing the same job. Many in America could see their children in the place of Stanislovas. What kind of society exploits its children for money? A capitalist society. The United States was not a country, rich or poor, (where) a man was free. It was a country where the f