In Dubious Battle Theme of Power

In Dubious Battle is all about the classic power struggle between impoverished workers and well-organized, huge-bank-account-wielding business owners. It seems like a hopeless cause—the workers have very few resources, either personal or financial—and it pretty much is.

But Mac knows that even oppressed, impoverished, and uneducated workers have a kind of power, too. If they would only come together, they could unleash a strength greater than themselves. And if they're clever (or lucky?) they can transform their disasters into victories, sort of like what happened with the Bonus Army and Bloody Thursday.

Mac isn't naïve. He knows that all the inspirational speeches in the world can't overcome the extraordinary—and extraordinarily corrupt—resources of the Growers' Association. He knows that the men need tools to fight, so he teaches London and Jim some classic tactics: how to rile the men, how to manipulate public opinion, how to beat the tar out of the police—and how to turn devastating tragedy into a useful rallying cry.

The individual battle may not be enough to create sustainable change, but the lessons learned in the fight are meant to follow the workers as they move on. And if the bigger lesson is learned—that group-man is stronger than the sum of its parts—then the workers might have a fighting chance.

1. What, if any, advantages do the workers have over the Growers' Association?
2. What tactics are employed by the Growers to end the strike? What makes it so difficult for the workers to achieve their goals?
3. In what ways are tragedy and suffering tools in the workers' toolbox? How can they use it to achieve their goals?
4. How does personal strength or talent figure into the workers' fight for fair treatment? Is there, in fact, any place for the individual in this battle?

Steinbeck's attempt to remain impartial on the subject of inequality and injustice in American society fails miserably in this work.

The workers can't acquire the strength they need to overcome their adversaries without doing some serious suffering.