Monday Missive – September 5, 2016

September 06, 2016 by Mark West
Categories: Monday Missive
inbattlebook
A Novel for Labor Day — The labor movement gave rise to Labor Day, but it also gave rise to a genre of literature that is often called the labor novel.  When I was a student activist in the 1970s, I read many labor novels.  They sort of blur together in my memory, for most of them have similar plots and similar central characters.

The labor novel that I remember the best is John Steinbeck’s In Dubious Battle.  Published in 1936, In Dubious Battle is Steinbeck’s first full-length novel.  The novel deals with a strike by farm workers who are picking apples in California.  Like most labor novels, In Dubious Battle describes the deplorable working conditions that often spark labor unrest and sometimes strikes.  However, what sets In Dubious Battle apart from most other labor novels is Steinbeck’s thoughtful portrayal of the tactics and strategies used by the organizers of the strike.  Steinbeck shows how true believers in political causes can sometimes engage in questionable actions in the name of a greater cause.

When I first read this novel, I was moved by the plight of the farm workers In-Dubious-Battle moviewho figure so prominently in the story, but I was also left pondering the question of whether or not the ends justify the means.  In Dubious Battle is rooted in the labor movement and is certainly sympathetic to the movement, but it deals with themes that transcend the labor movement.  It speaks to all of us who are tempted to place causes over ordinary people and doctrinaire principles over basic human decency.   In Dubious Battle is one of my favorite novels, and I recently learned that it is one of President Obama’s favorite novels, too.

The film director Jame Franco has just released a film version of In Dubious Battle.  The film premiered on September 3 at the Venice Film Festival.  I always feel a bit anxious when one of my favorite books is made into a film, but I plan to see it in the hopes that the film does the book justice.

Upcoming Events and Deadlines— Here is information about an upcoming event:

The Women’s and Gender Studies Program and the UNC Charlotte Counseling Center are co-sponsoring an event titled “Just Me and Allah:  A Queer Muslim Photo Project,” featuring the work of Samra Habib.  Her presentation will take place on Wednesday, November 9, 2016 @7pm in McKnight Hall.  Here are some articles on Samra’s work:

http://qz.com/594969/between-me-and-allah-the-conflict-between-homosexuality-and-islam/

Quirky Quiz Question — Three years after the publication of In Dubious Battle, John Steinbeck published The Grapes of Wrath, which is also set in California during the Great Depression.  In 1940,The Grapes of Wrath was made into a movie starring Henry Fonda.  Does anybody know the name of the famous director of this film?

Last week’s answer – Prince Charming!

Monica, Jennie, and Angie are the three official English Department staff members, but there is a fourth unofficial member of the staff who resides in Angie’s office.  Does anybody know the name of this unofficial member of the staff?