While it is based on Sinclair's investigative journalism into the Chicago meatpacking industry, it is presented as a fictionalized story. He uses fictional characters and a narrative structure to highlight the harsh realities of the industry and the struggles of immigrant workers.
While the book's depiction of unsanitary conditions and unethical practices in the meatpacking industry was largely accurate, Sinclair's primary goal was to raise awareness about the exploitation of workers and the need for social reform. He used fictionalization as a powerful tool to engage readers and make a lasting impact.