The Jungle Reading Response Questions
AP United States History.
Read Upton Sinclair’s The Jungle. After reading the book answer each of the following
questions in free response essay format. Each essay must be a minimum of five well-
written paragraphs.
1. What is the basic conflict in The Jungle? What is the result of this conflict and how
does it affect Jurgis?
2. Why did Socialism appeal to Jurgis Rudkus? What had Packingtown taken from him
physically and mentally?
3. Explain how and why Upton Sinclair presented such a pessimistic mood in The
Jungle. What was his purpose in writing this book?
