“from The Jungle” by Upton Sinclair Guiding Questions
Read the selection from the novel The Jungle by Upton Sinclair. Then, reread the
lines indicated with each question below. Answer each question, citing text evidence.
1. Lines 9–16: An author’s diction, or word choice, helps determine the effectiveness
of his or her writing. Sinclair’s diction creates a strong imagery, helping the reader
see, feel, and smell life in the slaughterhouse. Summarize the image described in
this passage. Analyze Sinclair’s diction in this passage, identifying the words or
phrases that contribute to the strength of the image.
2. Lines 21–35: Tone is the attitude an author adopts toward the subject matter.
Understanding an author’s tone helps readers identify his or her purpose. Analyze
the tone Sinclair adopts toward his two characters. How does this tone serve
Sinclair’s purpose?
3. Lines 37–60: Analyzing the topics an author chooses and inferring the messages
that these topics communicate will often reveal his or her purpose. What
examples of meat industry products does Sinclair describe in this passage? How
does the choice of these topics serve Sinclair’s purpose?
4. Lines 83–90: Is there anything in this passage to indicate whether Sinclair is
writing fiction or nonfiction? Consider why Sinclair might have made the choice
to write The Jungle as a novel. What might be the advantages or disadvantages of
this choice?
5. Lines 90–100: Some writers have purposes beyond informing, persuading, or
entertaining. Many writers have an added purpose of moving reader to action.
Infer what general action Sinclair’s readers might have been moved to take from
reading this passage. What are specific actions that a reader might have
demanded based on evidence in this passage?
6. Lines 102–122: What are the disturbing images with which Sinclair concludes the
selection? Why might Sinclair have chosen to end this passage as he did?