# XXI: The Roaring Abysmal Beast explained — The Iron Heel

> Chapter companion for The Iron Heel by Jack London.

## What happens

During the refuge stay, Avis describes the consolidation of the Oligarchy's power through the labor castes, the Mercenaries, and the oligarchs' self-righteous ideology. She contrasts this with the Revolution's moral drive, the brutal conditions of the labor-ghettos, and Ernest's preparations for the First Revolt. In January 1917, they leave the refuge to work as agents-provocateurs.

## Themes in this chapter

### Class Struggle and the Rise of Oligarchy

The Oligarchy's consolidation through labor castes, Mercenaries, and self-righteous ideology.

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

The oligarchs' cultivated fear of anarchy and their belief in their own righteousness as a driving force.

### Revolution and Personal Sacrifice

The Revolution's strength derived from moral righteousness, exemplified by martyrs like Mendenhall and Carlson.

### The Dehumanizing Nature of Capitalism

The labor-ghettos and machine-serfs depict the brutal dehumanization under the Oligarchy.

## Character check-ins

### Avis Everhard

Narrator and revolutionary, reflecting on the Oligarchy's strength and the Revolution's righteousness.

### Ernest Everhard

Impatient for action, planning for the First Revolt and the education of the proletariat.

### John Carlson

Faithful custodian of the Glen Ellen Refuge, cited as an example of revolutionary righteousness.

### Anna Roylston

Refused blessed motherhood for the Cause, exemplifying revolutionary sacrifice.

### Rudolph Mendenhall

Flamed out his soul for the Cause, singing his wild swan-song.

## Key lines

> The oligarchs had succeeded in devising a governmental machine, as intricate as it was vast, that worked—and this despite all our efforts to clog and hamper.

The oligarchs built a complex and effective government that functioned despite revolutionary sabotage.

_Acknowledges the Oligarchy's organizational success._

> The great driving force of the oligarchs is the belief that they are doing right.

The oligarchs' main motivation is their conviction of moral righteousness.

_Highlights the ideological strength of the ruling class._

> For no other reason did Rudolph Mendenhall flame out his soul for the Cause and sing his wild swan-song that last night of life.

Rudolph Mendenhall sacrificed his life purely out of devotion to the revolutionary cause.

_Exemplifies revolutionary self-sacrifice._

> There in the labor-ghettos is the roaring abysmal beast the oligarchs fear so dreadfully—but it is the beast of their own making.

The oppressed masses in the labor-ghettos are the feared 'beast' created by the oligarchs themselves.

_Critique of the Oligarchy's self-fulfilling fear._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_iron_heel_se/chapters/xxi-the-roaring-abysmal-beast
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_iron_heel_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_iron_heel_se/chapters