“We are caught,” continued the good doctor, “in the iron treads of a technological juggernaut. A mindless machine. With a breeder reactor for a heart” (pg. 64). In “The Monkey Wrench Gang”, by Edward Abbey, one of the main characters, Doctor “Doc” Sarvis, is referring to the very thing the Monkey Wrench Gang has banded together to fight, industrialization. Joined by George Hayduke, Bonnie Abzug, and Seldom Seen Smith, the band of eco terrorists travel the southwestern desert in search of signs of human industrialization. Armed with explosives, guns, sand, beer, and their unique ideas, the Monkey Wrench Gang destroys any modern development. Eventually the law catches up to the team, with Bonnie, Doc, and Smith being incarcerated, and Hayduke,
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He tenaciously attempts to catch the crew of extremists, and this is very relatable to the Monkey Wrench Gang’s persistence to destroy industrialization and escape prosecution. An example of Bishop Love’s unwavering relentlessness is found when Smith attempts to block the bishop’s pursuit by fire. “Here comes the sonofabitch leaping through the flames over the fiery cattle guard, the shining Blazer apparently unharmed. But a fountain of sparks from the fail of a burning timber was enough to make the second driver halt for a moment; he turned eastward along the fenceline to outflank the fire, followed by the others.” (133). Despite their being a wall of fire, Bishop Love refuses to give in and he continues up the rocky road in search of an arrest. What’s so ironic is that while the Hayduke’s, Bonnie’s, Doc’s, and Smith’s resilience is respected and made impressive by Edward Abbey, Bishop’s resilience is seen as pesky and uncalled for. The irony of it all sheds light on the fact that, in reality, both of them are just trying to achieve their goals. This is the recurring theme throughout the book and that subtle irony helps display that
He tenaciously attempts to catch the crew of extremists, and this is very relatable to the Monkey Wrench Gang’s persistence to destroy industrialization and escape prosecution. An example of Bishop Love’s unwavering relentlessness is found when Smith attempts to block the bishop’s pursuit by fire. “Here comes the sonofabitch leaping through the flames over the fiery cattle guard, the shining Blazer apparently unharmed. But a fountain of sparks from the fail of a burning timber was enough to make the second driver halt for a moment; he turned eastward along the fenceline to outflank the fire, followed by the others.” (133). Despite their being a wall of fire, Bishop Love refuses to give in and he continues up the rocky road in search of an arrest. What’s so ironic is that while the Hayduke’s, Bonnie’s, Doc’s, and Smith’s resilience is respected and made impressive by Edward Abbey, Bishop’s resilience is seen as pesky and uncalled for. The irony of it all sheds light on the fact that, in reality, both of them are just trying to achieve their goals. This is the recurring theme throughout the book and that subtle irony helps display that