The Iron Heel

Mrs. Wickson and Mrs. Pertonwaithe use their social influence to paint Avis as a troublemaker, and her friends distance themselves from her. The retired university president, Wilcox, reprimands Avis’s father, Dr. Cunningham, for associating with socialists and threatening their state and private funding. Cunningham argues that his private life has no bearing on university policies, and Wilcox offers a paid sabbatical as a bribe to keep Cunningham away. Ernest explains that Wilcox is trapped in the capitalist system like everyone else and was likely pressured. Ernest refers to the shadowy power of the Oligarchy and warns Cunningham to take heed. Cunningham believes that he is independent since his personal wealth does not make him dependent on his university salary. Ernest warns him that even his private income can be threatened. Cunningham, though shaken, refuses to be intimidated and works on his book that criticizes the corporatization of higher education. 

Ernest takes Bishop Morehouse to low-income areas of San Francisco. The Bishop learns about the systemic hardships of people facing poverty that challenge the assumption that the conditions are innate. Ernest believes that the Bishop’s solution of missionary work is impractical. Later, Mr. Wickson orchestrates a job opening for Ernest to become the US commissioner of labor.