The late 1910s and early 1920s in America were characterized in a very capitalistic manner, those who had and those who did not. The idea that certain members of society were being cheated out of this wealth and prosperity lead to the creation of radial ideologies and formation of the communist party in America, which ultimately lead to the strikes and riot protests of the time period. All of this is the foundation of John Steinbeck’s work, In Dubious Battle, a novel focusing on strikes occurring in California’s apple country. Many will argue that this novel is a piece of communist propaganda, whose purpose is to show the atrocious conditions and menial wages workers of the time period faced. However, if the intent of this novel was to be a piece of propaganda for communism, it does a horrible of job of serving its purpose. The function of In Dubious Battle is to show the condition of human nature when faced with certain adversities and to critique the manner in which people handle such situations, and how these manners can affect others, specifically through the actions of the character Mac. In the very beginning of the novel, the reader is presented with an excerpt from Milton’s, Paradise Lost. At first, the reader may not understand the intention behind the insertion of this quote before the novel even begins but, upon completion of the story, the quote allows the story to become full circle and permits the meaning of the quote to become much more relevant. The excerpt is characterizing the rebellion that is taking place between God and Satan. This idea of a “dubious battle” has a wide interpretation for how it relates to the story. For the side of Satan, and for the character of Mac, this “dubious battle” speaks to their desires that are constantly available and up for grabs. Where as for the side of God and the wealthy, capitalist businessman of the time, this “dubious battle” is a contentious, hopeless idea. No ma