# Slaves of the Machine explained — The Iron Heel

> Chapter companion for The Iron Heel by Jack London.

## What happens

Avis Everhard grapples with the reality of Jackson's accident, realizing that society is built on the blood of workers. She confronts Colonel Ingram, Mr. Wickson, Mr. Pertonwaithe, and their wives, discovering that all are bound by a class ethic that justifies exploitation. Ernest Everhard explains that even the capitalists are not free agents, but are driven by self-serving ideologies.

## Themes in this chapter

### Class Struggle and the Rise of Oligarchy

Avis sees the stark division between the working class and the capitalist masters, who control society through their wealth and ideology.

### The Dehumanizing Nature of Capitalism

Jackson's arm and the blood on Avis's gown symbolize how capitalism reduces workers to expendable parts of the machine.

### Ideology, Propaganda, and the Control of Thought

The masters create a 'master ethic' to justify their actions, and even the young journalist is taught not to think independently.

## Character check-ins

### Avis Everhard

Avis is deeply shaken by Jackson's arm, begins to see the brutal reality of industrial society, and feels love and concern for Ernest.

### Ernest Everhard

Ernest is portrayed as the apostle of truth; he explains the master ethic and the lack of free will in the industrial machine.

### Jackson

Jackson's maimed arm is the central symbol of exploitation; Avis cannot escape the thought of his suffering.

### Colonel Ingram

Colonel Ingram is revealed to be as bound to the machine as the mechanics, despite his distinguished appearance.

### Philip Wickson

Mr. Wickson embodies the master ethic, believing he is a savior of society and justifying his actions as right.

### Mrs. Wickson

Mrs. Wickson refuses to assist Jackson, citing a class ethic that blames the victim and avoids responsibility.

## Key lines

> The fact, man, the irrefragable fact!

Ernest's insistence on confronting undeniable reality echoes in Avis's mind as she faces Jackson's injury.

_Avis recalls Ernest's phrase as she grapples with the concrete evidence of exploitation._

> They were the most hopeless of all I had encountered in my quest. They believed absolutely that their conduct was right.

Avis finds the capitalists utterly unreachable because they are completely convinced of their own righteousness.

_This describes Avis's encounter with Wickson and Pertonwaithe, who embody the master ethic._

> No man in the industrial machine is a freewill agent, except the large capitalist, and he isn't, if you'll pardon the Irishism.

Ernest explains that everyone in the industrial system is constrained, including the capitalists, despite their illusion of freedom.

_Ernest's analysis of the lack of free will in the industrial system._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_iron_heel_se/chapters/iv-slaves-of-the-machine
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_iron_heel_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_iron_heel_se/chapters