as well. They lie and scheme to cheat the family out of as much money as possible Sinclair wishes to inspire sympathy for the immigrant family by getting his readers to identify with their social values. The young con artists and the corrupt saloon-keepers have assimilated the brutal, predatory values of consumer capitalism. They represent dishonesty and thievery. They value their personal gains, their "profits," above the social values of family, community, and charity. Wilson writes, “Capitalism is exposed as a system of both exploitation and of corruption: society as a whole is debased, degraded, infested” (367). Hence, Sinclair identifies capitalism as an attack on American valuesMoreover, Jurgis and Ona's family immigrates to America in search of the American dream, the advertisement by which America sells itself as the land of freedom and opportunity. The myth promises them that hard work and commitment to good social values will win them success (ie. “From Rags to Riches”). “…that one might dwell within the cave and gaze upon the shadows, provided only that once in his lifetime he could break his chains, and feel his wings, and behold the sun…” (Sinclair 18) However, they were mistaken. From the moment they arrive in the country, they fall prey to various greedy individuals who profit unfairly from their ignorance. Sinclair means to portray these events as a betrayal of the very values on which the American identity is based. Jurgis's response to the con artists taking advantage of the veselija is, "I will work harder." Again, Sinclair wishes to identify the immigrant laborer with the values of the American public. Jurgis calmly faces adversity, and he expresses a profound belief in the work ethic, a fundamental American value.Sinclair details the dishonest practices of the meat- packing industry for several reasons. First, he portrays the practice of selling diseased a...
