Reader Response theoretical perspective

Although Steinbeck’s character Mac McLeod was recognized as the character who was able to influence and use his power over other characters in the book, I saw him more as a person trying to revenge on something that was held back not only in the story but in his past.

It seems that he used people, created a symbol from a death of a friend, and even lied about his experience in child birthing. Does he not think of the consequences it will be on the people he is taking advantage of.  When His friend Joy dies, he does not have time to sulk, he is quick to take advantage of his death and use him as a symbol to the workers in order for them to come together again and cringe the thirst for revenge. Helping the young girl give birth to her baby was helpful, but what if the baby died, yet the thought of a dead baby did not come into thought, or nor did he even care to think about. The only thing on his mind is that this girl had a connection to London, the leader of the men, and that is who he needed to get in good with so that he can start laying the foundation towards a strike.

Though my thoughts of Mac McLeod is a character with a chip on his shoulder, there were times throughout the story I felt like wow, this guy just might have a heart. I noticed that when he speaks to Jim, his companion and new recruit to the Party, his words seem to be expressing a bond, a closeness, a protector towards his student. I did believe that he actually cared for Jim and that he looked out for him though out the book. My thoughts of Mac McLeod being a true friend, a person who really cared more about the people and not taking revenge on the farm owners was soon crushed. When Jim dies towards the end of the story I did not expect Mac out of all people to once again, for the cause, use his so called friends body as a symbol to, like Joy’s body, unite the men and regain the strength, anger, and trust back into the cause.

Mac always seems to turn events to his advantage by rallying the men even after Jim’s death. Mac seems to feel that everything that occurs is something that has happened in order for the strike to survive.  It seems that the strike was a roller coaster. The men feeling the excitement was extreme anxiety and impatient behavior to gain what they want and the next day, it was sulking, whining, and complaining of no food. One way or another every event in the book was most often used to Macs advantage and with that who knows if the fight he initiates will ever satisfy his inner goal. Maybe there is more to Mac than we know, just like the ending of this book with Jim’s death. It leaves us wondering what ever happened and did it die down or did it live to fight.