Chetanya Singla

Dr. Iris Jamahl Dunkle

ENL 003

8 June 2022

TITLE

         “They would rise and fall and, in their falling, rise again.” -Sanora Babb, (Whose

Names Are Unknown) tells us that even though a battle was lost, in l there still is hope and

with this falling, you shall come back stronger than ever and

Sanora Babb’s whose names are unknown portrays the stubborn reality of sticking

together by foreshadowing events of the farmers unifying to finally overcome all the loss,

hunger and injustices in their lives.

Whose names are unknown is a fictional tale written by Sanora Babb, an American

novelist, poet, and literary editor; born in 1907, Oklahoma, and passed on in 2005, Los

Angeles. She wrote this book in the late 1930s while working with refugee farmers in FSA

camps in California, though the book wasn’t published until 2004 since John Steinbeck stole

Babb’s notes and was able to release his book The Grapes Of Wrath before her, causing the

publisher to refuse to launch it as they were both based on the Dust Bowl.

OK-just a thought, cali-striked against the govt but not a union as such organized themselves

hence they weren’t known but by the end they realize they should now since they’ll be

stronger together n blah blah.(plot)

TONE- depressing yet spirited,

Despite the presence of characters with different traits and conflicting viewpoints,

Babb explains the formation of unions and strikes as a community-wide ordeal. She presents

Old Man Gaylord as that flat character who introduced the idea of forming unions and

working together with the government to ease out their current situation but didn’t quite do

anything about it. Long, however, did agree with Gaylord to improve their situation but goes

about it with a different approach that is by striking against the authorities like the milk

farmers (page 101 last paragraph). This causes everyone to lean towards seeing protests as

the only way out. But since neither of these characters ends up going to California, they don’t

undergo a change throughout the story. Hull, another farmer in the community, though never

showed any progress throughout the book as he never partook in the protest, consistently

opposed the idea of striking against the authorities as he believed it was pointless blaming

them for a natural disaster like the dust storm. His thinking and acting maturely make him a

round character because of his mindset but otherwise he’s static. The dynamic characters of

the book were the Dunnes and Starwoods. They started by nearly coping with expenses and

food, got somewhat better, and then moved to California seeking better opportunities.

Though they were sceptical about actually going against the authorities to claim their rights,

they eventually protested and ended up losing their jobs and were left with no money to even

get food.

Babb alludes to the idea that the struggles faced now would lead up to the unification

of the farmers as one which will help them stand together to help each other out and

emphasize the importance of unity in communities. To stand out this particular motif, Babb

focuses on a very important aspect in the lives of the farmers, that is oneness and working
together. Babb relays the unification of farmers by foreshadowing certain events throughout

the book like the initial discussion of fighting for the chance to have better living conditions

that began at the funeral of Starwood who died during one of the dusters. A majority of

farmers were for the idea of improving their lives as Old Man Gaylord added fuel to the fire.

Although some farmers, predominantly Hull, were against this idea because of the wrongs it

could do instead of any good. But then, it was only an idea. Things took a sharp turn when

The Dunnes, The Starwood’s and some others moved to California, where their situations got

worse and they had to strike against the government because of the constant disappointments

but since only very few were willing to as it wasn’t very convincing then, they lost that battle

and understood the importance of fighting together than going one-man army. They soon

realized how eagerly they needed to form a union, with everyone’s opinions and support

aligned, to come at par with those in power. This shows how unity is an essential aspect in

the lives of people which if taken seriously, can serve as an important ally. The title of the

book truly explains Babb’s intention behind the unions, that even though people that get and

work together stay unnoticed, it’s the change they bring about which matters most.

PLOT

He ranted “Reckon we ought to git together when we want something. A herd of hungry

cattle bawling shore can be heard plainer’n one here and one there.” They all laughed and

wagged their heads in agreement.”

TONE
Intro -The idea of fighting for improved living circumstances was first discussed at the

funeral of Starwood, who died during one of the dusters. Though everyone was mourning for

the Starwood family’s loss, the setting and tone that Babb presents to us are very morbid and

gloomy, which creates a strong feeling of intensity when the talk of union was brought about.

Most of the farmers agreed to this at the time, although Hull had differing opinions about it.

His perception of undermining all the other farmers and not striking against the government

titles him the Devil’s Advocate and sets a rather striking tone right when there was some new

hope. When events advance to moving to California, Babb introduces a rather depressing yet

playful tone. All the events happening there after all lead up to a very clear message. Like

going up against the government in a small group that has no chance of success, losing their

jobs and all the money, stealing food, and more. They all strictly say one thing: unify now or

lose everything.