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Alienation in the jungle

 

            
             Socialism thrives when the alienation of labor survives. This is prevalent throughout the world today, especially in the Third World countries. During the Industrial Revolution, it was present in France and Germany too. This is where Karl Marx formulated his ideas of class warfare, the bourgeoisie, and the proletariat. Marx believed that when the proletariat, the common laborer, felt he created nothing for himself from his labor he would rise up against his employer, the bourgeoisie. Labor becomes alienated when workers surrender control over products and accept wages in its place. Karl Marx's theory of alienated labor is integral to Upton Sinclair's story, The Jungle.
             Due to specialization, one worker has one task and that results in a worker's .
             loss of independence, resulting in alienation. Jurgis feels alienated from his labor .
             throughout the novel. He is working in a slaughterhouse when he says: "It was all highly specialized labor, each man having his task to do;"(p.43). He is only a part of a .
             machine and is losing his autonomy by doing this. While working on the railroad, Jurgis became self-destructive, like a senseless machine. "he became reckless and indifferent, like all the rest of the men, who took but little thought of themselves in the ardor of their work."(p.206). In the same paragraph, the narrator explicates further: "they had no share in it--they were paid by the .
             hour, and paid no more for being interested."(p.206). This is probably the best example of alienated labor in this novel.
             Marija's form of alienated labor is much different than Jurgis's. Marija has no money and can not find a job, leaving prostitution as her only option. It is said that alienation of labor leads workers to act like machines. When Marija sells her body for money, she exemplifies this. "I had to live," she said; "and I couldn't see the children starve." Her sexuality becomes her labor, the fruits of which are enjoyed by strangers.


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