American readers often find In Dubious Battle to be a troubling novel. The main characters, particularly Jim, are portrayed with depth and empathy; however, the ideologies they embody often appear to clash with traditional American values, as they are avowed Communists. This novel marks Steinbeck's initial effort in fiction to address the struggles of California workers who were exploited during the Great Depression. The author's treatment of this sensitive topic received mixed reactions from readers at the time of its release, as his apparent support for Communist ideals was not well-received by the majority of Americans.

1. The two main characters in this novel are openly linked to "communism." What does Steinbeck mean by this term? Is he associating these individuals with the form of communism practiced in the Soviet Union for nearly a century?

2. In several of his novels, Steinbeck includes vivid scenes of violence. How do these scenes serve his artistic goals? How are they used to highlight social or political themes?

3. The novel's title is taken from a speech in Milton's Paradise Lost, where Satan declares his "unconquerable will" to defy God despite all odds. How might this be an apt description for the story of Mac and Jim?

4. In The Grapes of Wrath, Steinbeck revisits some incidents involving workers that he first presented in In Dubious Battle. How are these incidents similar? How do they differ? Do the scenes in The Grapes of Wrath show a progression in Steinbeck's views on the issue of oppressed workers? If so, in what ways?

5. At one point in the novel, Mac tells Jim, "I can't take time to think about the feelings of one man... I'm too busy with big bunches of men." What does this reveal about Mac? About the movement he represents? Does Steinbeck share this perspective? What leads you to believe he does or does not?