Jacob Riis. Social Activist or Muckraker?

The paper explores the dual perspectives on Jacob Riis, questioning whether he was a genuine social activist aiming to improve conditions in New York's slums or a self-serving muckraker seeking fame. It focuses on Riis's seminal work, "How the Other Half Lives," analyzing its content, structure, language, and style. The discussion is contextualized by examining Riis's biography, providing a comprehensive view of his motivations and the impact of his work on social reform and public awareness in the late 19th century.