Hull House
The Hull House was founded by a woman by the name of Jane Addams, a key leader in the reform movement towards a better future in the late 1890's. The purpose of this house was for immigrants coming to America, giving them a place where they could get back on their feet before entering the brutal working industry in the Chicago meatpacking industry. During this era there were no regulations or systems of socialization that prevented the horrid working and living conditions that thousands of immigrants encountered. Just to make ends meet and have food on the table was a struggle for many people, the Hull House provided food, shelter and education for the people in need on their way towards reaching the “American Dream.” The Jungle by Upton Sinclair examines the common struggles of the early 1900’s for immigrants coming to America in hopes of this “American Dream” and the harsh reality that they faced instead. The novel follows a family on their journey into America with such high hopes, and the complete failure they reach instead. They face death, illness, injury, and starvation throughout the book, many people during this time faced similar outcomes because of the capitalist society of the era. It was people like Jane Addams who fought for change, for a better society that people could prosper in, rather than fight for survival. The period of reformation was crucial for America to become a better place, this era was full of despair and the reformist leaders changed the outcome completely. Towards the end of The Jungle, Sinclair includes the idea of socialism, which alters the future of the main character, giving a sense of hope for him, a metaphor for society as a whole.