After The Fact Analysis

Alden Doak
After the Fact
USH-H
USDA inspected

Chapter ten of “After the Fact” discusses the use of symbolism in politics and how there can be more than two sides to a story by telling the grotesque facts about working conditions in the meatpacking industry of Chicago, and President Roosevelt’s determination to reform and bring justice to the people. The thesis of the chapter is that the use of symbolism in politics boils down a story, or event, and that in order to draw an accurate conclusion to the story one must be informed of all facts surrounding the story, not just those displayed via political symbolism. The thesis is proved through the story about the meatpacking industry where through symbolism the story is reduced to President Roosevelt, Upton Sinclair and their enemies;

Roosevelt had an impeccable past record of achievements before he was elected president of the United States. His skills had been used before with his distinguished past, but would be tested once again after the publication of the book “The Jungle” by Upton Sinclair.

This book book described, in detail, the horrendous conditions of the meatpacking industry of Chicago. The public looked to Roosevelt for guidance during this time. Roosevelt came to the peoples aid when he signed the Meat Inspection Act in 1906. The meatpacking industry certainly needed to be reformed for reasons displayed by “The Jungle”. Before reading this book many people who consumed this very meat did not understand how unsanitary the industry as a whole was. The accounts of working conditions are disgusting, walls were covered with slime and manure, dead rats being mixed into meat, equipment covered with blood and filth. Despite these awful working conditions, the meatpackers could be applauded for their innovativeness in recycling, through the people who consumed the meat did not necessarily agree. They unintentionally created a lot of new products that we use on a