How the Other Half Lives Study Guide

Jacob A. Riis was a Danish-American journalist and social reformer known for his pioneering work in photojournalism and advocacy for the poor and marginalized in New York City during the late 19th century. Born in 1849 in Ribe, Denmark, Riis immigrated to the United States in 1870 and settled in New York City, where he worked as a police reporter for various newspapers.

In 1890, Riis published his groundbreaking book "How the Other Half Lives: Studies Among the Tenements of New York," which exposed the squalid living conditions of the city's tenement dwellers and shed light on the harsh realities of urban poverty. Using his own photographs to accompany his vivid descriptions, Riis's work sparked widespread public outrage and ultimately led to significant reforms in housing and sanitation laws.

"How the Other Half Lives" is considered a seminal work in the history of social reform and investigative journalism, and Riis's use of photography as a tool for social change set a new standard for documentary storytelling. His work helped to raise awareness about the plight of the urban poor and inspired future generations of journalists, photographers, and activists to continue fighting for social justice.

Historical and literary context: "How the Other Half Lives" was published during a time of rapid industrialization and urbanization in America, when a growing divide between the wealthy elite and the working class was becoming increasingly apparent. The book was part of a broader movement for social reform known as the Progressive Era, during which activists and intellectuals sought to address the social and economic inequalities that had emerged as a result of industrial capitalism.

Riis's work was also influenced by the emerging field of documentary photography, which was gaining popularity as a means of exposing social injustices and advocating for change. His use of photographs to accompany his written descriptions of tenement life helped to convey the harsh realities of poverty in a way that words alone could not.

Overall, "How the Other Half Lives" is a powerful testament to the power of journalism and photography to effect social change, and remains a lasting legacy of Jacob A. Riis's tireless advocacy for the most vulnerable members of society.

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