Character: Jack Hogg

Role in “The Slab Boys”

Jack Hogg is the semi-antagonistic figure within the story and acts as the primary source of adult supervision over the Slab Boys.
He serves as the foreman of the slab room and is often off stage, in the designer’s room representing a degree of authority and aspiration that the Slab Boys can’t grasp.
His representation is often misleading; while seen as superior and having job security, he is also shown to be constrained by the rules and standards of the conservative carpet factory.

Hogg is characterised by his assertiveness and rigidity, displayed prominently through his criticising and berating the Slab Boys.
He is often the brunt of Phil and Spanky’s jokes, suggesting he isn’t fully respected by his subordinates despite his higher rank.

Through his interactions with the boys, Hogg paints a gloomy picture of what the future might hold for them if they remain in the factory.
Hogg’s relationship with the other characters, especially Phil, represents the generation gap and division between manual labourers and the administrative roles within the working class.
His insistently neutral relationship with Mr Curry shows his fear of risking his position at the factory, reminding us of the uncertainty and economic difficulty of the era.

Hogg’s actions are motivated primarily by his desire to maintain decorum in the slab room and avoid any jeopardising circumstances.
His insistence on adhering to the rules reflects his fear of change and his desperation to keep his job at any cost.
His seemingly unscrupulous behaviour toward the boys denotes a significant separation from their youthful resilience and the harsh realities of adult life and work.

Jack Hogg stands as a stark reminder of the bleak future the boys may face if they fail to escape the confines of their current roles.
His interactions frame much of the humour, presenting a mixture of defiance and resignation that reflects the broader attitudes within working-class communities during that era.