A Critical Analysis Of Joe Delottinville

In this article, DeLottinville charts the development of the late 19th century socio-economic struggles on Montreal`s waterfront, with a focus on the culture of labour forces. He argues that the culture developed under the dynamic leadership of Charles McKiernan, owner of a centrally located tavern and commonly known as Joe Beef. The article offers an outsider`s perception of his ideas of consensus as a progression towards the idea of collaboration thus creating a distorted view of the social structure of waterfront neighbourhood. The article is built around the traditional mindset of Montreal middle-class that thinks consensus and collaboration cannot exist in one society. Joe carried the interchangeable philosophies of collaboration and
DeLottinville attributed social changes in Montreal’s labourer culture of mutual assistance to Joe Beef’s tavern. McKiernan advocated for the working class during the economic depression of 1870 for labourer health care and wage improvement. His passionate commitment to the culture of mutual assistance provided a framework of working-class culture. The article changes its focus and goes deeper into examining the abilities of Joe, not only as an entertainer at the tavern but also as an arbiter in the neighbourhood. The second half of the article documents the ongoing political unrest in the city while attributing crucial success towards Joe`s personal contributions at his tavern. Quick-witted Joe successfully told stories to amaze his crowd on the serious topics while reframing the context generating new ideas, simplifying their issues while supporting them at every level. Their struggles with social and economic poverty gained popularity and attracted middle-class reformers to the area. The author does a good job of capturing the art of Joe` leadership as an intangible form and points to the fact that there is no formula-driven approach towards the idea of the collaboration of any society. Collaboration happens when the leader has the answers