Sometimes a Great Notion

After the previous section’s dramatic exploration of the personal and spiritual motivations of Lee, Hank, Joe Ben, and other characters, the novel shifts focus back to Draeger, Evenwrite, and the logging union strike. Nature emerges again as a powerful force, with the union organizers blaming the torrential rain for their inability to gain traction in their cause against the logging corporations.

Masculine one-upmanship fuels the power dynamic in Draeger and Evenwrite’s meeting with the Stampers. At first, Draeger and Evenwrite turn to emotional appeals to persuade the Stampers to stop selling logs to Wakonda Pacific and to side with the union. Their attempt seems naïve, given the Stampers’ notorious reputation for being obstinate. The Stampers are overly pleasant to Draeger and Evenwrite, catching them off guard and gaining the upper hand. It becomes clear that the Stampers are simply taunting Evenwrite and Draeger, and enjoying the experience, with Hank “trying to keep his amusement from becoming even more obvious” (411). The treatment of Evenwrite and Draeger, coupled with the Stampers’ outright rejection of the appeal to the union, is the most damning indictment of the Stampers’ staunch individualism, especially since the union representatives base their appeal on thinking of women and children going hungry due to the strike.

When negotiation fails, Evenwrite and Draeger take a more physical approach, attempting to muscle their way into forcing compliance from the Stampers. Willing to resort to nefarious means to get their way, Evenwrite tries to sabotage Hank’s stockpile of logs. However, here too, the union leaders are outmatched, as Hank apparently anticipates and counters the attempted sabotage and flourishes his victory by delivering Evenwrite’s nails back to him.

Sometimes a Great Notion resists choosing sides in the conflict between the union and the Stampers. Instead, it shows that all characters have vulnerabilities but are also capable of corruption. This ambiguity recurs in Evenwrite’s backstory. Evenwrite had a tough upbringing, with a grandfather heavily involved in the labor movement and a father who fell victim to the logging industry. Evenwrite also developed an independent streak like the Stampers; like them, he at first refused to join a union, and entered into his role only because his hard work won the respect of the union workers.