Oil! follows James Arnold Ross and his son, James Arnold Ross Jr., as they do whatever it takes to own their very own oil well. Ross's son--nicknamed Bunny--provides an idealistic counterpoint to his father's avaricious dealings. Their story intertwines with that of Eli Watkins, a revivalist preacher who seeks spiritual power. As the stories of the Ross and Watkins families intertwine, the struggle between the material and the spiritual sharpens. Told over the course of the United States's Gilded Age, World War I, and the post-war years, Oil! is a Dickensian portrait of a country so rich in resources and manpower that it becomes its own greatest enemy.

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Oil! follows James Arnold Ross and his son, James Arnold Ross Jr., as they do whatever it takes to run their very own oil well. Ross's son--nicknamed Bunny--provides an idealistic counterpoint to his father's avaricious dealings. Their story intertwines with that of Eli Watkins, a revivalist preacher who seeks spiritual power. As the stories of the Ross and Watkins families intertwine, the struggle between the material and the spiritual sharpens.

Literary history and meaning: Oil!, by Upton Sinclair, was first published in 1927. Set in California during the early twentieth century, the novel tells the story of the oil industry's rise to power and its impact on society, politics, and the environment. It is a searing indictment of capitalism and corporate greed, echoing Sinclair's earlier works, such as The Jungle. Its importance as a classic literature work lies in its unflinching portrayal of the human cost of industrialization and its exploration of themes such as corruption, social justice, and the struggle for economic equality. Its relevance today is evident in its commentary on the ongoing tensions between industry and the environment, as well as its exploration of the ethical dilemmas surrounding unchecked corporate power and wealth inequality.