Jim Nolan's Transformation Essay

Throughout the course of the novel, In Dubious Battle By John Steinbeck, we see the progression of the character Jim Nolan. Nolan undergoes a significant change from what we learn about him and his previous life, to whom we get to know him as at the end of the novel. A man first viewed in a dilapidated state from an unfortunate and lonely life with seemingly no purpose transforms into a man passionate about his life and actions. This drastic change makes the novel incredibly intriguing by showing what passion and devotion can do for a cause. To gain a stronger understanding of Nolan’s transformation, one must look at three points in the novel that display the evolution of the despondent man we see him as in the first chapter to the influential and powerful man he transforms into at the end of the novel. We first meet Jim Nolan when he is checking out of his apartment and saying goodbye to everything in his old life. Jim is on a mission in search of a new life of meaning and action. After
leaving the apartment, Jim goes to an interview held by Harry Nilson to join “the Party.” During the interview, we learn about Nolan’s troubled past. He came from a working class, blue-collar family that endured much hardship throughout his upbringing. Nolan’s sister was gone inexplicably at a young age one night, and his parents’ differences hindered their relationship. The family struggled financially and Nolan did not receive proper education. Recently, he was arrested and spent time in prison on charges of vagrancy. Now, Nolan is looking for a fresh start to put his troubled past aside. Jim decides that he would like to join the “the Party” because of what he heard from inmates in prison. In the interview, Jim tells Harry Nilson, “In jail there were some Party men. They talked to me. Everything’s been a mess, all my life. Their lives weren’t. They were working towards something. I want to work towards something.” (Steinbeck 8) Nolan is clearly distraught from his troubled past and wants meaning in his life. Jim believes that by joining the party his life, ironically, like the inmates, will have meaning.
The second transformational event Nolan experiences is the death of Joy, and Mac’s reaction to it.
Jim learns from Mac that they must work with what is given to them to keep the strike alive. Jim’s first encounter of this lesson occurs when Joy is shot after arriving at Torgas Valley. Mac, although sad from the loss of his friend, moves along and does not impede the strike because of the loss. Mac organizes a large funeral procession for Joy and gives a provocative speech that adds fuel to the strike by stirring up the men. Mac takes the situation that is given to him, and turns it into motivation for the strikers to feed off of. As inhumane as it is, Mac uses the death of Joy as a tool. The funeral was not for Joy, but for the success of the strike. This is Jim’s first experience of what it takes to be a successful party member. In order to keep the strike alive, they must puts the needs of the strike over everything else and Jim absorbs that from Mac and feels obliged to do
so.
The last major transformational event for Nolan that we witness is after Mac has brutally beaten up the high schooler in the tent. After, Mac and Jim talk about the situation. Mac is disturbed by his ruthless action to the high school kid, but Jim is unphased. Jim claims that the punishment was necessary to the strike, because it sets an example to other kids that are asked to tamper with the strike. Awed by Jim’s serious professionalism to the cause Mac says, “You’re beyond me, Jim. I’m getting scared of you. I’ve seen men like you before. I’m scared of ‘em. Jesus, Jim, I can see you changing every day. I know you’re right.” (215) As Mac states he sees Jim transforming before his eyes. Jim has become devoted to the strike. The strike is not his job, but his obligation to make it succeed. This point in the novel is seemingly small, but rich with importance and meaning. Mac has achieved his goals of having something in life to work towards. As one can see from these exemplary points, Jim Nolan evolved throughout the novel. Nolan turned his life around to, what hoped it would become, a life of meaning and working towards goals. Jim became immersed in the strike and passionate about the party’s purpose. Jim achieved his goal in life. As the strike was beginning to turn into a possible battle, Jim was shot in the face and died. However, his death did not go to waste. Mac, as he did Joy, used Jim’s death to motivate the workers to keep the strike alive. A man first viewed as impaired and despaired transforms via passion to achieve what he wanted out of life.