Think you’ve got your head wrapped around In Dubious Battle? Put your knowledge to
the test. Good luck — the Stickman is counting on you!
Q. "You think we're too important, and this little bang-up is too important. If the thing blew up right now it'd be worth it" (252). Why does Mac believe that the strike is worth something, even if the workers lose?
Because Mac will have asserted his authority over them
Because they now understand that the "system" is broken
Because they have gained some concessions
Because the workers have all joined the Party
Q. "The hopelessness wasn't in them. They were quiet, and they were working; but in the back of every mind there was conviction that sooner or later they would win their way out of the system they hated" (20). Who is Jim describing here?
workers in the orchard
the longshoremen in San Francisco
his family
Party members in jail with him
Q. "On the outskirts of the mob the men began to shout, 'Look at the ladder! That's what they make us work on!'" (78). What the heck is riling the men up here?
Dan's accident
Forced work
Dakin's materialism and selfishness
Poor working conditions at Anderson's farm
Q. Why is it that "Joy won't shake hands with anybody" (15)?
He's shy.
He doesn't trust strangers.
He's afraid of being arrested.
His bones have been broken—it's too painful.
Q. "I want a billboard," said Mac, "Not a corpse" (213). To what is Mac referring?
Keeping Joy's body from the police
Delivering Lisa's baby
Beating the high school boy, as an example to others
Spreading the news of Al's beating