Oil! · Chapter
XV: The Vacation explained
Bunny confronts Vernon Roscoe about a new wage cut, but Roscoe dismisses him with threats and boasts of buying labor leaders and politicians.
What happens
Bunny confronts Vernon Roscoe about a new wage cut, but Roscoe dismisses him with threats and boasts of buying labor leaders and politicians. Dad and Vee plan a vacation in Canada to keep Bunny away from the impending strike. Bunny receives a telegram from Ruth Watkins that Paul and others have been arrested for criminal syndicalism. Bunny struggles between his loyalty to Paul and his father's wishes, while Vee tries to persuade him to go on vacation.
Themes in this chapter
Class Struggle and Labor
The wage cut announcement and the impending strike highlight the conflict between oil workers and capitalist operators like Vernon Roscoe.
Corruption and Power
Roscoe openly admits to buying labor leaders and politicians, illustrating the corrupt use of wealth to maintain control.
Idealism vs. Pragmatism
Bunny's idealistic concern for the workers clashes with Roscoe's pragmatic, ruthless business philosophy and Dad's desire to avoid conflict.
Characters to notice
- Bunny Ross
Visits Vernon Roscoe to protest the wage cut, receives a telegram about Paul's arrest, and wrestles with his conscience over whether to return to California.
- Vernon Roscoe
Dismisses Bunny's concerns about the wage scale, boasts of buying labor leaders and politicians, and warns Bunny about his Bolshevik friends.
- Dad Ross
Plans a vacation to Canada with Vee and Bunny to keep Bunny away from the labor troubles; trusts Vernon Roscoe completely.
- Vee Tracy
Collaborates with Dad to plan a vacation in Canada; tries to persuade Bunny to go despite Paul's arrest.
- Paul Watkins
Arrested with others on charges of criminal syndicalism; Bunny receives a telegram from Ruth Watkins pleading for bail.
- Ruth Watkins
Sends a telegram to Bunny informing him of Paul's arrest and asking for help with bail.
Key passages
“I can buy any officials, just the same as I can buy any politicians, or anybody else that a bunch of boobs can elect to office.”
Roscoe claims he can corrupt any elected official or labor leader with his money.
Reveals Roscoe's cynical view of democracy and his belief in the power of wealth.
“If you got to despise your father's money, for Christ's sake wait till he's dead, and the money's your own.”
Roscoe advises Bunny to postpone his moral objections until after inheriting his father's wealth.
Highlights the tension between Bunny's ideals and his family loyalty.
“Paul and Eddie Piatt and Bud Stoner and Jick Duggan and four others of their group had been arrested, charged with 'suspicion of criminal syndicalism,' and were lodged in the San Elido county jail with ten thousand dollars bail demanded for Paul and seventy-five hundred for each of the others.”
Paul and seven others are arrested on suspicion of criminal syndicalism, with high bail set.
Sets up the central crisis of the chapter, forcing Bunny to choose between vacation and helping his friend.