Chapter 61: The Mail and Empire, 1936 – Summary & Analysis
⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.
Summary
Chapter 61 reproduces a newspaper article from The Mail and Empire, dated September 19, 1936. The article reports a speech given by industrialist Richard E. Griffen of Griffen-Chase Royal Consolidated at the Empire Club. Griffen warns that the Spanish Civil War threatens world order because the Republican side follows orders from Soviet “Reds.” He cites seizures of property, killings of civilians, and attacks on the Church as evidence. Griffen describes General Franco’s Nationalist uprising as a necessary reaction by patriotic Spaniards defending tradition and order. He urges Canada to adopt a policy of non-intervention, following Britain, France, and the United States. He further notes that some Communists from North America are already heading to Spain and suggests their departure is a convenient way for Canada to rid itself of “disruptive elements” at no cost. The speech receives strong applause.
Key Events
- Richard E. Griffen delivers an address to the Empire Club in Toronto.
- Griffen characterizes the Spanish Republican government as controlled by Communists (“Reds”).
- He lists alleged Republican atrocities: property seizure, civilian killings, desecration of churches, and murder of clergy.
- He frames Franco’s Nationalist rebellion as a defensive, popular movement.
- Griffen advocates that Canada follow Britain, France, and the United States in adopting non-intervention.
- He comments on the flow of Communist volunteers to Spain, approving of it as a way to purge Canada of radicals.
- The audience applauds his remarks.
Character Development
- Richard E. Griffen: A powerful industrialist associated with Griffen-Chase Royal Consolidated. Through his speech, he emerges as a staunch anti-communist and a defender of traditional elite interests. He uses alarmist rhetoric to position the Spanish Civil War as a fight between civilized order and Soviet disruption. His call for non-intervention is self-serving: he wants Canada to avoid entanglement while still benefiting from the voluntary departure of leftist activists. The applause suggests he represents a receptive constituency among the establishment.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs Actually Evidenced Here
- Propaganda and Media Bias: The newspaper article presents Griffen’s speech without editorial counterpoint, treating his claims as fact. The headline’s alarmist tone (“GRIFFEN WARNS OF REDS IN SPAIN”) shows how media can amplify a single, partisan viewpoint.
- Anti-Communism: The chapter is saturated with fear of Communism. Griffen uses the term “Reds” as a catch-all enemy, conflating the Spanish Republicans with Soviet expansion.
- Elite Interests vs. Popular Movements: Griffen defends “tradition and civil order” while dismissing the Republican cause as disruptive. His industrialist background ties his political stance to preserving economic power.
- Non-Intervention as a Political Tool: Griffen’s version of non-intervention is not neutral; it actively supports the Nationalist side by condemning the Republicans and tacitly allowing foreign volunteers to leave Canada.
- Violence and Religious Imagery: The desecration of churches and murders of nuns and priests are invoked to morally justify Franco’s rebellion, playing on the audience’s religious sensibilities.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter provides a primary-source-like window into the political climate of 1936 Canada, specifically the elite’s response to the Spanish Civil War. By embedding a real-seeming newspaper article, Atwood critiques how power and media shape public opinion. The chapter also introduces or deepens the character of Richard Griffen, who may reappear as a representative of corporate and conservative interests. For readers of the larger bundle (likely The Blind Assassin or related novels), this piece foreshadows conflicts between capital, labor, and international fascism. It shows how fear of communism was used to justify inaction in the face of rising fascism.
Study Questions and Answers
1. How does Griffen frame the Spanish Civil War, and what rhetorical devices does he use to persuade his audience?
Griffen frames the war as a clash between “Reds” (disorder, atheism, property seizure) and Nationalists (tradition, civil order, religion). He uses fearmongering, moral panic (atrocities against clergy), and a false equivalence that conflates Republicans with Soviet agents. He also appeals to patriotism and self-interest, arguing that non-intervention protects Canadian lives and purges radical elements.
2. What does the chapter reveal about the relationship between media, power, and politics in 1930s Canada?
The chapter reproduces a newspaper article that gives uncritical space to Griffen’s speech. The headline sensationalizes his warning, and the article ends with “roundly applauded,” suggesting consensus. This hints that newspapers like The Mail and Empire served establishment interests, shaping public opinion to favor non-intervention and anti-communism without presenting alternative perspectives.
3. Why might Atwood include a verbatim newspaper article in a novel? What effect does it have on the reader?
Including a “real” document creates a sense of historical verisimilitude and distances the author from direct narration. It forces readers to evaluate the source’s bias independently. It also allows Atwood to critique historical propaganda without explicit commentary, showing how language and media were used to advance specific agendas during the lead-up to World War II.