The most devastating time period of human suffering in our country’s history was bar none the era of Great Depression. In Steinbeck’s 1936 novel In Dubious Battle he examines the human side of labor strikes in the 1930s with strong character point of views which visibly speak throughout the novel. With the story being told out of the perspectives of the main characters, readers are critically able to depict the Communist Party in a critical depiction. However opinions, recruiting tactics and situations which ascend through and for the “cause” are rather sympathetic.
Jim Nolan has reached somewhat of a crossroads in his life, which prompts him to decide on joining what’s known in the novel as "the Party." Although Steinbeck doesn't spell it out, it’s pretty clear that "the Party" means the Communist Party. Following his decision, Jim received an application with a “folded corner” and then dealt with “Pretty Boy” Dick Halsing through an interview process among joining the Party. Shortly after appointed a Party member, Jim is introduced to Mac. Little did Jim know, he and Mac the “Party Organizer” would become very close, with considering McLeod even as a mentor figure. Mac tells Jim early on that he better get used to working long, long days performing organizing work for the Party.…show more content… Jim fights for his foundation to satisfy a desire to give importance to his life. “I want to work toward something. I feel dead, I thought I might get alive again,” stated Jim. (Ch.1 Pg.10). With the same passion, Mac on the other hand, fights for his reason to persistently pursue people towards his beliefs and for them to understand his perspective behind them. “Our job’s just to push along our little baby strike, if we can… if we could get the National Guard called out, now with the crops coming ready, we’d have the whole district organized by spring.” (Ch.3