How do the events in Chapter 5 and 6 signal who has power? How do these events help move the plot forward?

In Chapters Five and Six, the themes of Class Conflict, Power and Working Together are further emphasized with Smith's comments about the whale who is killed by the shark and the swordfish. A seemingly impossible event is used to illustrate that by working together, those of lower class can defeat one more powerful than them. But the foolhardy nature of the gentlemen is further illustrated when, instead of tromping through the forest like the others, they insist on making the lower class people clear the way for them. It shows the absurd lengths the gentlemen will go to for comfort. This results in literal pain for the workers, and Smith doesn't hold back his criticism, which would have been heard and agreed to by any of the commoners. With these carefully chosen acts, he proves his worth to those most likely to support him. But Ratcliffe ignores him; he would never listen to a commoner, no matter the logic.