How we cite our quotes: (Page)
Quote #4
Dakin's stiff lips parted, showing even, white false teeth. He said, "If I owned three thousand acres of apples, d' you know what I'd do? I'd get behind a bush an' when you went by, I'd blow your god damn head off. I'd save lots of trouble. But I don't own nothing but a light truck and some camp stuff." (66)
Dakin points out the fluidity of any identity, depending on your line of perception. For the workers, Mac is a clever organizer, someone finally looking out for their best interests. But for the landowners, he's a nightmare, a real fly in the ointment of profit and progress. Since Dakin straddles these two identities, he doesn't really know what to think of Mac. While he knows he ought to side with the workers, Dakin has stuff and would like to own more. He can see both sides of the disagreement, and it makes him uneasy with Mac's call to war.
Quote #5
Jim said, "Do you like dogs, Mac?"
Mac retorted irritably, "I like anything." (86)
This telling little exchange highlights Mac's philosophy about work and life: use whatever material you've got. As they approach Anderson to ask for the use of his land, Mac has to figure out the best way to talk to the old man. His interest in the pointers has nothing to do with his love for cute, fluffy animals: it's all fodder for manipulation. If Mac can turn himself into a dog person by the time they encounter Anderson, he'll have a way into friendly conversation—and that's the way to get what he wants. Steinbeck spends a lot of time developing the concept of variable or non-existent personal identity in this work, but this is probably the clearest example of such "shape-shifting" that we get.
Quote #6
"Mac," Burton said wearily. "You're a mystery to me. You imitate any speech you're taking part in. When you're with London and Dakin you talk the way they do. You're an actor."
"No," said Mac. "I'm not an actor at all. Speech has a kind of feel about it. I get the feel, and it comes out, perfectly naturally. I don't try to do it." (111)
Doc Burton suspects that Mac is playacting with the men to get on their good side. Mac denies this and claims that his ability to slip into the local parlance has more to do with natural talent and maybe even sympathy with the workers. But we have to face facts. Mac has already shown us that he's willing and able to adjust his personality and behavior to make the most of any situation (like playing midwife, pretending to like dogs, pretending to be a humble fruit-picker).