Mack, the owner of the Big Top Mall and Entertainment, is the primary antagonist in Katherine Applegate’s “The One and Only Ivan.” While not a villain in the traditional, mustache-twirling sense, Mack’s actions and motivations drive the conflict and create the suffering experienced by Ivan and the other animals. He represents the exploitative nature of keeping wild animals in captivity for entertainment.
Table Content:
Mack’s primary goal is profit. He acquired Ivan as a baby gorilla, raising him in his home until he grew too large. Then, Ivan was moved to the Big Top Mall, becoming the star attraction. Mack views Ivan and the other animals as commodities, investments meant to generate revenue. He consistently prioritizes financial gain over the animals’ well-being. This is evident in the cramped, inadequate living conditions he provides, the limited enrichment activities, and his refusal to acknowledge the animals’ emotional and psychological needs.
Mack’s flawed perception of the animals’ needs is a key element of his antagonism. He believes he’s providing them with a good life, showcasing their unique talents and offering them food and shelter. He’s blind to the inherent cruelty of confining wild animals in such a limited environment. He dismisses Stella the elephant’s deteriorating health and Ivan’s growing discontent as mere inconveniences, focusing instead on acquiring a baby elephant to boost ticket sales.
Mack’s actions are further fueled by his denial and self-deception. He convinces himself that he loves the animals, ignoring the stark reality of their suffering. This self-deception allows him to justify his exploitative practices. He sees himself not as a captor but as a provider, oblivious to the emotional and physical toll his actions take on the animals.
While Mack provides basic care for the animals, he often struggles financially, leading to periods of neglect and further demonstrating his inability to properly care for them. This reinforces his role as the antagonist, as his financial instability directly impacts the well-being of those under his care. His struggle highlights the inherent conflict between profit-driven entertainment and responsible animal welfare.
Mack, the antagonist in The One and Only Ivan, owner of the Big Top Mall.
Mack’s interactions with Ivan are particularly revealing. He often tries to connect with Ivan, reminiscing about their earlier days together. However, these attempts are superficial, lacking genuine understanding or empathy. He fails to recognize Ivan’s intelligence and emotional depth, treating him more like a performing pet than a sentient being. This dynamic further underscores Mack’s role as the antagonist, as his inability to connect with Ivan on a deeper level perpetuates the cycle of exploitation.
The arrival of Ruby, the baby elephant, solidifies Mack’s role as the antagonist. He sees Ruby as a solution to his financial woes, another attraction to draw crowds. He ignores Stella’s warnings about the dangers of captivity for a young elephant, prioritizing profit over Ruby’s welfare. This act of callous disregard for the well-being of a vulnerable creature underscores his exploitative nature and solidifies his position as the story’s primary source of conflict.
Ruby, the baby elephant, joins Ivan at the Big Top Mall.
Mack’s antagonism isn’t rooted in outright malice but rather in a combination of greed, ignorance, and self-deception. He represents a system that prioritizes profit over animal welfare, a system that often fails to recognize the sentience and needs of the creatures it exploits. His actions, driven by financial desperation and a flawed understanding of animal care, ultimately create the conflict that Ivan and the other animals must overcome.
Through Mack, Applegate highlights the complexities of animal captivity and the ethical dilemmas it presents. He serves as a cautionary tale, reminding us of the importance of considering the well-being of animals and the responsibility we have to protect them from exploitation.
Conclusion
Mack, driven by financial pressures and a lack of understanding regarding animal welfare, serves as the antagonist in “The One and Only Ivan.” His actions, though not driven by malice, directly cause the suffering of Ivan and the other animals at the Big Top Mall. He embodies the exploitative nature of keeping wild animals in captivity for entertainment, making him a crucial element in the story’s exploration of animal rights and the responsibility humans bear toward their fellow creatures.