Essay 1 Outline Gabe Rojas

Industrial Genres and The Jungle Outline

Introduction

• State topic: The intermix of the Industrial Gothic and Industrial Epic.
• State thesis: In order to advocate his socialist motives and critique the turn-of-the-century industrial complexes at the end of his novel, Upton Sinclair morphs from the Industrial Gothic to an Industrial Epic as the
• Highlight key aspects to Jurgis’ optimistic, “American Dream”, immigrant mindset

Section 1: Introduce the Industrial Gothic

• Define the typical gothic genre
  • Reference to older gothic novels:
    • Mary Shelley, Bram Stoker, Edgar Allan Poe
  • Explain how the turn-of-the-century setting alters this genre
  • The role this genre chose has in showcasing the plight of the poverty stricken
  • Use of the word “demon,” “demonic,” and simply demonic language
    • 27, 79, 117, ect.
  • Grandmother Majauszkiene (48); note: she is a socialist

Section 2: Transition to Jurgis’ mental and bodily changes

• Showcase Jurgis’ optimism again, but in more detail
• “Tomorrow I shall go there and get a job!” (23)
• Bodily change
  • Explains how the meat packing industry has altered his mind and body
  • “For three weeks after his injury Jurgis never got up from bed (86).
• Not only has his body withered but so has his opinions of the American dream (capitalism)

Section 3: Introduce the Industrial Epic

• Define the classic epic genre
  • The Odyssey, The Iliad, The Aeneid
  • Typical characteristics
• Speak about how the change of settings contribute to Jurgis’ ideological changes
• Rapid succession of events (chapter 17- on)
• Goes back to Chicago (160)

Section 4: Revise Jurgis’ mental and ideological changes

• The focus now is on his own personal growth and idealism
• Showcase that Jurgis is able to speak for himself
• This will be a precursor for his interest into socialism
• Either bring in Jack Duane here or in the previous section

Section 5: Sinclair’s Socialism

• Speak about the socialist speakers Jurgis listens to
• “comrade” (216)
• Self criticism of socialism and its members (217)
  • Something that may be unattractive and worrisome
• Natural progression that Jurgis would fall into socialism due to capitalist industrial manipulation (212-250)
• The function of Mr. Lucas and Nicholas Schliemann (Ch.30-31)
• Use of long winded speeches (Ch. 30-31)

Conclusion

• Restate key points
• Do not state a call to action
• State the importance of this novel as it relates the socialist movement
• Tie to contemporary ideas and opinions of socialism