To Make My Bread - Grace Lumpkin

Grace Lumpkin’s To Make My Bread is the story of the McClure family, and other neighboring families living in the Appalachian region, and their journey searching for a better life. They move from the mountains to an urban setting in Leesville hoping to improve their economic situation; instead, their lifestyle only worsens under the conditions of the Company and the mill. The mill workers begin a strike against the mill, and Grace Lumpkin personifies the mill to be perceived as another character in the plot. The central theme of the novel is the rise of the working class, especially the working class women.

Once the strike went underway, the mill was portrayed as a character instead of a building. The mill possessed a power greater than any single man, and it was the mill workers’ job to fight against that power. The effect of the strike had a significant impact on the mill, “for the mill was now roused like a beast that has been disturbed in its pleasant slumber, and comes lumbering forth to kill or maim what has disturbed it” (354). This description suggests that the owners of the mill did not foresee any type of revolution because the mill workers remained silent. Now that the working class is actually fighting for their rights, as opposed to accepting their extremely low position, the owners, the militia, and the law must do whatever they deem necessary to maintain order. By portrayed the mill as an antagonist, Lumpkin effectively exaggerates the power that the mill has over its workers.

One of the central themes of To Make My Bread is the rise of working class women. The women in the novel are admirable in the sense that they can handle more burdens than the men, including having and raising children, working in the mill to provide for their families, while also maintaining the traditional feminine role by cooking and cleaning. Emma McClure is the first generation of rising females. When her family moves to the city, she must first suffer the transition from rural to urban life. However, instead of being contented with her situation, she tries to better her chances of improving the lifestyle of her and her family. Emma was considerate when it came time for her and Ora, her sister-in-law who was with child, to choose shifts at the mill, “It was the least Emma could do to take the burden of the heavy night work, with only snatches of sleep in the day” (208). Unfortunately, Emma soon becomes ill and can no longer work in the mill. At this point, more responsibility is given to her daughter, Bonnie.

Bonnie is the most important woman during the strike. Through her songs, she rallies the mill workers and encourages them to unite. In addition, Bonnie worked with the black inhabitants because she honestly viewed them as equal beings. Although her efforts were looked down upon by the people of the mill, her efforts strengthened the position of the working class because when a truck came to pick up blacks to replace the white workers at the mill, very few obliged. Through Bonnie, Lumpkin brings together the entire working class; it was a strong-willed woman that connected the two races together and encourages a hopeful end. However, Bonnie is shot and dies just before the workers are about to picket the mill. Since both of the strong women die, Lumpkin could be suggesting that the plight of women is not yet complete. Although both of these women acted admirably and signified both the strength and rise of women, their deaths portray the failure of their execution and women still have much to work for. In addition, Lumpkin suggests that every action has its consequences, especially for the lower working class. Bonnie’s death also signifies the long way that the mill workers must travel in order to gain the better conditions they have been fighting for. 

All in all, Grace Lumpkin’s To Make My Bread portrays the differences between classes and also portrays the plight of women. During the strike, the wealthy people were actually acting cowardly because they were always armed; they consistently attacked the mill workers when they were unarmed and defenseless. However, the mill workers refused to cave in to their power; they knew their actions were accompanied by consequences, and they were willing to accept their terms. This fact alone proves that the lower class was stronger and more courageous than the upper class cowards. In addition, Lumpkin includes two women as strong-willed workers who dealt with many burdens concerning both themselves and their families. Each women rose to accept the most responsibility. Unfortunately, the deaths of these women represent the long fight that women must fight in order to gain the equality they deserve. After all, To Make My Bread suggests that women must carry more burdens and must work harder than men.