In Dubious Battle is written by John Steinbeck about the struggles of farm workers and working class for surviving during the Depression of the 1930s. Jim Nolan, the protagonist, and his mentor, Mac McLeod, were organized the apple pickers on strike in the apple orchard of California during the 1930’s. Most of men involved in this strike, thus male gender plays the main role in this novel; beside women played small part in the novel.
The novel began with Jim’s decision to join the Party because he was hopeless. He mentioned his father, Mr. Nolan, had much trouble in labor and always got beat. Jim’s father was fighting against the bosses alone so he always lost. Jim has learnt from his own experience that fighting alone would lead to failure, thus Jim followed his father to fight against the boss system but he wanted to join the Party as a group. Jim wished to dedicate his life to the cause of his family and working workers. Jim could see a great purpose in the Party, as he said “I want to work toward something. I feel dead. I thought I might get alive again” (8).
After joining the Party, Jim met Mac and they worked together. Mac was Jim’s mentor and he trained Jim in field work by taking Jim to the apple orchard. Mac had experience in organizing strikes, but he was unwilling to let Jim involved in the activities of strike, rather he wanted Jim to take more time to learn in the field. Mac could gain the trust within the apple pickers quickly and he took advantages from the cause to push the pickers on strike. Mac was a strong representation of his belief and he was enthusiastic to work toward his goals and desires.
In addition to Jim and Mac, London and Dakin were leaders of migrant workers to work in the farms and they wanted to fight for fairness and justice. Mr. Anderson was the farm owner; he agreed to let the strikers to camp on his land in exchange for free labor. By the end he was angry with Mac because his barn was set on fire and tried to kick the strikers out of his land. Al Anderson was a Party sympathizer and finally he was eager to join the Party.
For women, they played small part in the novel. Jim’s mother was described a housewife, she stayed home to take of her husband and children. Jim’s father always got beaten and came home all covered with blood; Jim’s mother washed his blood. She did not have any power in the house. She was a Catholic, but Jim’s father would not let her go to church because Jim’s father hated churches. Mrs. Dakin, Dakin’s wife, was described as “A fine, big-bosomed woman with a full face, …” (61). She lived under her husband’s authority, and obeyed her husband’s demand when he said “You and the kids better pay a call to Mrs. Schmidt, Alla” (62). She felt disappointment but she just followed, but “her lips pouted and closed over the gold” (62).
I agree that women did not play a big role, what so ever! Throughout the novel, the readers were introduces with male character more than the female ones. The men in the novel are not only dominant, but they are also intimidating. Several female characters are seen under their husband's shadow. Like you said, Jim's mother could not even attend the church because of her husband. Steinbeck definitely gave more power to the males than the female characters.
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