Character: Hector McKenzie

Character: Hector McKenzie

Overview

• Hector McKenzie is a minor character in John Byrne’s The Slab Boys.
• He is presented as the shop steward who attempts to uphold the rights of the workers in the factory.
• While he has good intentions, his effectiveness can be questioned due to his inconsistent representation.

Personality Traits

• Understanding: Hector is shown to be approachable and tries to be supportive towards Phil during his struggles.
• Spineless: He is considered accommodating to the extent of being weak, often failing to challenge Mr. Curry significantly.
• Good-natured: Despite his flaws, Hector is not malicious and doesn’t harbour ill-will towards his co-workers.

Relationships

• Phil McCann: Hector has a sympathetic attitude towards Phil, showing understanding and providing advice.
• Mr. Curry: Their relationship is one of deference, with Hector failing to robustly challenge his authority, despite his authority as shop steward.
• Factory Workers: As the shop steward, he is responsible for protecting the rights of the workers, but his lack of action portrays him as ineffectual.

Evolution of Character

• Hector’s character remains fairly static throughout the play.
• His position and lack of action simply highlight the systemic issues within the factory and the societal structures of the time.
• This static nature underscores the unchanging circumstances, which implicates the failure of the power structure within the factory’s framework.

Character Interpretation

• Hector McKenzie can be seen as a metaphor for complicit complacency, indirectly contributing to the perpetuation of disempowering socio-economic structures.
• His inability to challenge Mr. Curry effectively highlights the systemic biases and unwritten rules within the societal structures of the time.