Chapter 11: The Sweaters of Jewtown
Introduction
In chapter 11, Jacob Riis (along with his anti-semitism) explores the problems with Jewish clothing manufacturers in the
tenements. He makes the claim that they desire to profit at the expense and exploitation of men, women, and children alike in the work place. Additionally, he argues that the labor laws that come about within the tenements only evidence the corruption within tenement manufacturing.
tenements. He makes the claim that they desire to profit at the expense and exploitation of men, women, and children alike in the work place. Additionally, he argues that the labor laws that come about within the tenements only evidence the corruption within tenement manufacturing.
Summary
Jacob Riis focuses heavily on the 10th Ward and the plights that face the inhabitants in chapter 11, The Sweaters of Jewtown. He describes his time spent in the ward as exhasuting, and often asking himself, "What is truth?" These feelings and questions he obtains come from the atrocious working conditions he is unfortunate enough to come across. As Riis examines the conditions of the ward, and the root causes, he must devlve into the manufacturing sector of the 10th Ward and scrutinize its implications on tenement lifestyles.
It is important to note, just as Riis does, that laws surrounding factory labor do not have jurisdiction in the tenements. This creates a bleak scenario for the people of "Jewtown", or the 10th Ward. Riis identifies this as a place where a majority of the manufacturing in the city is done, and without laws to protect the rights of those workers, nightmarish scenarios start to develop. This is described further when Riis indicates "Ten hours is the legal work-day in the factories, and nine o'clock the closing hour at the latest. Forty-five minutes at least must be allowed for dinner, and children under sixteen must not be employed unless they can read and write English; none at all under fourteen." As those are the only laws identifiabe, and as those are a necessity in the system, the plight of the people in the 10th Ward did indeed seem insurmountable.
It is important to note, just as Riis does, that laws surrounding factory labor do not have jurisdiction in the tenements. This creates a bleak scenario for the people of "Jewtown", or the 10th Ward. Riis identifies this as a place where a majority of the manufacturing in the city is done, and without laws to protect the rights of those workers, nightmarish scenarios start to develop. This is described further when Riis indicates "Ten hours is the legal work-day in the factories, and nine o'clock the closing hour at the latest. Forty-five minutes at least must be allowed for dinner, and children under sixteen must not be employed unless they can read and write English; none at all under fourteen." As those are the only laws identifiabe, and as those are a necessity in the system, the plight of the people in the 10th Ward did indeed seem insurmountable.
Bibliography
Riis, Jacob. How the Other Half Lives. New York: Penquin Books Ltd., 1890.
Riis, Jacob. How the Other Half Lives. New York: Penquin Books Ltd., 1890.