Oil!

The Oxford Companion to American Literature | 1995 | 687 words | Copyright

Oil!, novel by Upton Sinclair, published in 1927.

Based on the oil scandals of the Harding administration, especially the Teapot Dome affair, the narrative tells of the struggles of “Bunny” Ross and his father, a good‐natured independent oil operator, against the encroachments of monopoly. Involved in the detailed account of business transactions are the thinly disguised characters of senators, oil magnates, and other public figures. Bunny's experiences lead him to realize that the bribery of public officials, the oppression of workers, and international conflicts are inherent in the private ownership of the industry, and he turns for a solution to socialism.

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James D. Hart and and Phillip W. Leininger. "Oil!." The Oxford Companion to American Literature. 1995. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

James D. Hart and and Phillip W. Leininger. "Oil!." The Oxford Companion to American Literature. 1995. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O123-Oil.html

James D. Hart and and Phillip W. Leininger. "Oil!." The Oxford Companion to American Literature. 1995. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O123-Oil.html

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