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SUMMARYNOTESTHEGRAPESOFWRATHJOHNSTEINBECK CHARACTERS PaJoad AtenantfarmerwhohasjustlosthisfarmasaresultoftheOklahomadust destroyingthecrops.HeistakinghisfamilytoCaliforniawherehehopesto getwork. Thestrong,determinedwifeandmotherwhoistheguidingorcontrolling memberofthefamily.Sheholdsthefamilytogether.

MaJoad

GrampaandGranma ThegrandparentswhooriginallysettledthefortyacreswhichPa Joadhasjustlost. NoahJoad TheoldestsonwhowassomewhatinjuredatbirthwhenPaJoadhadto performthedelivery.Hemovesratherslowlyandquietly. Thesecondsonwhokilledamanfouryearsagoinafightandwhohasbeen paroledafterfouryearsinstateprison.

TomJoad

RoseofSharon ThedaughterwhoismarriedtoConnie.Sheisexpectingababyand dreamsofaniceplacetoliveinCalifornia. AlJoad Connie Thesixteenyearoldsonwhoisinterestedonlyincarsandgirls. RoseofSharonshusbandwhodesertsheraftertheyreachCalifornia.

RuthieandWinfieldJoad Thetwoyoungestchildren.RuthieistwelveandWinfieldis ten. JimCasy Casywasonceapreacher,buthehasdecidedtogiveitupbecausehehas foundthateverythingisholy,andmanneedsnopreachertosaythis.Hegoes alongwiththeJoadstoCalifornia. AcouplewhotheJoadsmeetwhentheyfirstbegin TheJoadsfixtheWilsonscarandhelpthemacrossthe

IvyandSarah(Sairy)Wilson theirjourneywest. country.

Mr.andMrs.Wainwright Thefamilywholiveintheoppositeendoftheboxcarduring thelastpartofthenovel. AgnesWainwright TheiryoungdaughterwhobecomesengagedtoAlJoad. MuleyGraves AneighboroftheJoadswhorefusestoleavehislandafterhelostitand whoislivingwildandsneakylikeananimal. EzraHuston ChairmanofthecentralcommitteeinthegovernmentcampinCalifornia. WillieEaton Themaninchargeoftheentertainmentcommitteeandwhodirectsthe actionsagainsttherioters. JuleVitela AhalfbreedIndianwhomTommeetsatthegovernmentcamp.

2 Chapter1summaryandcommentary InOklahomathelastoftheraincameinearlyMay.Eventhatwasonlyenoughtocausesmall dropletstoappear.Thentheweedsbegantoturncolortoguardagainsttheonslaughtofthesun.The cornbegantofadeanddryup.WhenJunewashalfgone,afewdropsofrainfell,butitonlymadethe dustonthecornseemfreckled.Soonitbecamenecessarytotiehandkerchiefsoveronesnosefor protectionagainstthedust.Atnightthedustfailedtosettlesothatthestarscouldnotbeseen.Little linesofdustcreptintothehouseseventhoughttheywereallpadded.Themenjuststoodandlookedat theruinedcorn.Thewomenwouldcomeoutandlookatthementoseeiftheywouldbreak.The womenfelttheycouldbearanythingiftheirmenwerewhole. Thischapterpresentstheexpositionforthenovel.Thenovelisarrangedsogenerallythereisa chapterofnarrationfollowedby achapterofindirectcommentorageneralsituationwhichsuggests somethingaboutthepersonaltragedyofthemaincharacters.Theseinsertedchaptersarecalled intercalarychapters.Thewomenwatchingtheirmenwillbeonecentral motif inthenovel.Theycan keepgoingaslongastheirmendontgiveup. Chapter2summaryandcommentary Amanwalkingalongthehighway(TomJoad)crossesovertoaroadsidecafewhereabigtruckis parked.ThetruckhasasignthatsaysNoRiders,butthemansitsontherunningboardandwaitsfor thedriveranyway.Thedriveragreestogivehimaride.WhileridingdowntheroadthedriverasksTom allkindsofquestions.Tomtellsthedriverthatheisreturningtohisfathersfortyacreplaceandthe driverissurprisedthatsomeonewiththatsmallamountoflandstillhasaplacewhichhasntbeentaken overbyacat(bigfarmingmachinethatcouldknockdownthesmallhousesontenantfarms).Tom alsoexplainsthathehasbeenawayforfouryearsandthengetsangryatallthequestioningheisgetting. Thedriverexplainsthathegetslonelydrivingalldayandapologizes.Inthecourseoftheirconversation Tomfinallytellsthedriverthathehasbeeninprisonforthepastfouryearsandhasjustbeenreleased. Bythistime,Tomisattheroadleadingtothefarm. Therearemanysymbolicpassagesandeventsinthisnovel,butthecentralemphasisison plotand thedevelopmentofthecentralsituation.Itwillbethroughadramatictellingof thestrugglesoftheJoad familythatthecentralmeaningofthenovelwillberevealed.Thischaptersetsupcertainelementsofthe centralplot.Tomwillbecomeamainstayofthefamily,butbecauseofhisrecordhewillalsobecome somewhatofaburden.Oneofthecentral motifsissuggestedbythesignonthetruck.TheNoRiders signimpliesforTomthatthericharetheoppositeofthegoodguy thattherichareouttodestroythe poor.ThissetsthetoneforthelaterepisodeswiththelandownersbothinOklahomanowandin Californialater.ThedriverssurprisethatTomsfamilystillhasafarmpresentsinadvancethecentral predicament.ActuallyTomsfamilyhasalreadybeenshovedofftheirfarm.Theepisodewiththetruck driveriscarriedoverintolatereventsinthenovelwhentheJoadsmeetothertruckdriversonthewayto California. Chapter3summaryandcommentary Theconcretehighwayliesamidamatofdriedgrass.Afewgrasshoppersaretobeseen.Aland turtleapproachesthehighwayandslowlyclimbstheembankment.Aftermanyfranticefforts,hefinally reachesthetopandslowlybeginsthelonganddifficultcrossing.Acardrivenbyafortyyearoldwoman passesbyandsheswervestomisstheturtle.Afewminuteslateralighttruckcomesdowntheroadand theyoungmandrivingitswervestohittheturtle.Heclipstheedgeofitsshellandflipsitoffthe highwayandontoitsback.Itstrugglesandfinallymanagestorightitself,thenslowlyproceedson its way. Steinbeckoftenshowsmanasavictimofahostileuniverseandashavinglittleornocontrolover

hisdestiny.Theturtle,likemankind,muststrugglewithmanyobstacleswhiletryingtofulfillitsdestiny. ThroughoutthenovelwewillseetheJoadsmeetmanyhardships. 3 Chapter4summaryandcommentary Tomwatchesthetruckdriveoffandthenturnstowardhome.Henoticesthethicknessofthe dust.Hepicksupalandturtleandplanstotakeittooneofthekids.Ashewalkshenoticesaperson sittingunderatree.ItisanoldmanwhorecognizesTomasOldTomJoadsson.Theoldmanexplains thatheisthepreacherwhobaptizedTom.HeistheReverendJimCasy,butheisnolongerapreacher. Jimgivesalongexplanation ofwhyheisnolongerapreacherandsayshehasconcludedthatmanneeds toliveanddoesntneedpreachingbecausejustlivingisholy.TomexplainstoJimCasyabouthisprison yearsandwhyhewassentthere.Heexplainsthatinprisontheyeatregularlyandshowereachday.Tom tellshowonemanwasletoutofprisonandwashungryallthetimesohestoleacartogethimselfback intoprison.JimCasywalkswithTomtothehousewheretheyrealizethatsomethingiswrong.Then theyfindthatnooneisthere. OftenSteinbeckconnectschaptersofgeneralcommentwiththoseofnarrativecomment.The turtleTompicksupisnotthesameturtlefromthepreviouschapter,butitservesasatiein.Chapter4is devotedtointroducingthepreacher,JimCasy.Hisslowintellectualrealizationiscentraltothenovel.It tookhimoverfouryearstoformulatehisthoughtsaboutpreaching. Whatisimportantisnotthe abstractideasofpeople,buttheiractionsinlife. TheplightoftheJoadfamilyisnotsomeabstract problemforAmericatoface,butitisalivingprobleminvolvingdefinitehumanbeings.Thisis Steinbecksgreatpurposeofthenovel,thesepeoplearenotjustagroupofundesirableOkiesbut theyarelivinghumanbeingswhoarebeingstarvedtodeathinthisparticularAmericansociety. Casywillbethethinkingmanforsometimeyet.Histhoughtswillnotbeputintoactionuntiltheyreach California.HefunctionsasacontrasttoTomJoad,whoissomewhatselfcentered. Chapter5summaryandcommentary Thischapterspeaksofsomeownerscomingtothetenantfamilywithasenseofangerbecause theyhatewhattheyhavetodo,andotherownerscomingtothetenantfamilywithasenseofgrief becausetheyhatewhattheyhavetodo.Bothownersandtenantsareshownasbeingcaughtupin somethinglargerthanthemselves.Theownerexplainsthatthetenantsystemwontworkanymore,and thetenantsuggeststhatmaybeanotheryearwillbringbettercrops.Theyremindtheownersthattheir grandpassettledthelandandthattheyhavenoplacetogo.Theowneronlysaysthatthetenanthasto leave.Thenthetractorhiredbythebankorcorporationcomesoverthelandplowingastraightlineand knockingdownanythingthatstandsinthewayofagoodstraightline.Atnoonatractordriverstopsby atenanthouseandtellsthetenantthathewillhavetoknockdownthetenantshousethatafternoon becauseitisobstructingthestraightlinethathemustplow.Thetenantrecognizesthedriverasbeinga neighborsboyandwonderswhytheboydoesthistohisownpeople.Thedrivertellshimthathisfamily doesnthaveanyfoodandhiskidshaveneverhadshoes,andthiscompanypaysthreedollarsaday.The tenantdrivercantstandthethoughtofbeingpushedoffhisownlandandthreatenstoshootthedriver, butthedrivertellshimthathewouldjustbehangedforshootinghimandthatanotherdriverwouldbe pushingdownthehousebeforehewashanged.Thetenantfarmerwantstokillsomeone,butthedriver getshisordersfromthebankandthebankisorderedbysomeoneelse,sothereisnoonetoattack. Thischaptershowstheconflictbetweenthetenantfarmerandthebanks.Thischapterpresents thegeneralsituationofallpeopleinthedustbowlwhichwillbecomethe personalsituationofthesepeoplewhenwewatchtheJoadfamilygothroughit.

Chapter6summaryandcommentary TomandJimCasyfindthehouseempty,thewelldry,andeveryonegone.Tomfinallyrealizes thatnotonlyishisfamilygone,butalsothefamiliesofeveryothertenantfarmerinthearea.Tom unwrapstheturtleandletsitgo.Itimmediatelyheadssouthwest.Suddenly,theynoticesomeone comingdowntheroad,butheissocoveredwithdustthattheycantidentifyhim.ItisMuleyGraves. MuleytellsTomthatOldTomwasworriedbecausetheywereleavingandcouldntletyoungTomknow aboutit.MuleysaystheyhaveallmovedinwithTomsUncleJohn.Theyhavebeenchoppingcottonto getenoughmoneytobuyacarandheadoutforCalifornia.Muleyexplainsasbesthecanaboutthelarge companiespushingpeopleofftheirlandandreplacingthemwithdayworkers.Bythistime,Tomisvery hungryandasksMuleywhereandhowheeats.Muleypullsouttworabbitsandexplainsthataman doesnthaveachoicewhenhehasfoodandanotherpersondoesnt,amanjusthastoshare.Theycook therabbitsoveracampfireandthenseecarlightscoming.Muleysaystheyhavetohideorelsetheywill getintotroublefortrespassing.Thedeputycomes,putsoutthefire,andlooksaround,thenfinally leaves.Muleytakesthemtoasmallcavewherehesleeps. Thischaptertakesthegeneralstatementsofthelastintercalarychapterandmakesthemspecific. Thelastchapterwasabouttheplightoftenantfarmers,andthischaptershowstheJoadsasbeingoneof thosevictimizedfamilies.MuleyGraveshasbecomelikealivingdeadman.Heismoreanimalthan humanbecauseofwhathashappened.Tomfreestheturtlewhichimmediatelyheadsthesamedirection theJoadswillgo.WhenMuleyshareshisfooditisforeshadowinglatereventsinthenovelwhen everyonemustshareiftheywanttosurvive.ItisironicthatTomrefusestosleepinMuleyscave. Laterinthenovelhewillbeforcedtohideinone. Chapter7summaryandcommentary ThischapterinvolvestheJoadsfindingausedcartouseontheirjourney.Ittellshowtheused cardealersuseeverypossibletrickanddeceptiontomakeasale.Thetenantfarmersgetcheatedover andoveragain. ThischapteragainshowsageneralsocialsituationinwhichtheJoadswillbeinvolved. Chapter8summaryandcommentary ItisstilldarkwhenMuleyawakensTom andCasyandtellsthemthatheisgoing.TomandCasy walktoUncleJohnshouse.CasyasksaboutUncleJohnandTomtellshimhowstrangeanddifferent UncleJohnis.HewasoncemarriedandonenighthiswifecomplainedofpainandUncleJohntoldher shejusthadastomachachefromeatingtoomuch.Thenextdayshedied.UncleJohnnevergotoverit andhasbeenalittlestrangeeversince.Astheyapproachthehouse,Tomnoticesthefurniturestackedin theyard.Herealizestheyareabouttoleave.OldTomexplainsthattheywereabouttoleavefor Californiaandweregoingtowritehimaletter.ThefamilywondersatfirstwhetherTomhasbrokenout ofjail,butheexplainsthesituation.AtbreakfastGranmainsistsuponhavingthepreachersaygrace,but Casyexplainsthatheisnotapreacheranylonger.Granmainsists,andCasymerelyreciteshowhewent outaloneandthoughtaboutthings.Afterbreakfast,PashowsTomthetruckthatthesixteenyearold brotherhadhelpedthembuy.AboutthistimetheynoticeAlcominguptheroad.Alaskshisbrother TomifhewantstorideintoSallisaw,butTomremindshimthattheywillbetogetherontheroad. WeareintroducedinthischaptertoMaJoad,themainstayofthefamily.Sheisthecharacter whoismostconcernedwithkeepingthefamilytogether.Sheistheonewholooksathumanityasa whole.Whenthereishappiness,allturntohertogaugetheirreactions.Shenevershowshurtorfear. Sheisthestrengthandcomfortofthefamilyandshesuppressesherownfeelingsforthesakeofthe entirefamily.IfMaJoadsymbolizestheimmediatefamilyhere,thenCasysthinkingrepresentsthatallof humanityisapartofone 5 thing,onegreatfamily.MaJoadputshistheoryintopracticeinthewayshesoreadilyhelpsothers. EachmemberofthefamilyimmediatelyasksifTomhasbrokenoutofprison.Thus,hispositionwill oftenhamperthefamily.Thischapterpresentsthefirsthintsofthegrapeswhichstandsymbolicallyfor

anewandbetterwayoflife.Nooneknowsthatthegrapesofhopewillbecomethegrapesofwrath. Chapter9summaryandcommentary Familiesoftenantpeoplesiftthroughtheircollectionofpropertyandmemories,searchingtofind whatcanbesold.TheyareleavingforCaliforniaandcannottakethestuffwiththem.Theyhavetosell. Theytaketerriblelossesontheirsales.Forexample,therewasaseederthatcost$38andthemangot only$2forit,buthecouldnttakeitwithhim sohehadtosellitand$2wasthebesthecouldget.Even thesentimentalitemshavetogobecausethereisnoroomforthem. Thischapterdescribesthegeneralizedfamilieswhomustsellalltheirgoodsatabsurdprices, reportbacktothewomenof theirfailurestomakegooddeals,andthenbecomefrenziedaboutleaving. Theseintercalarychaptersmakethenovelalargersocialdocumentandshowussomeofthepersonal problemsthemaincharacterswillhave. Chapter10summaryandcommentary Tom andhismotherdiscussthemovetoCaliforniaandtheprospectsofabetterlife.Tom explainsthatinprisonhehadtolivedaybydaytogetthroughit.Grampagetsupfromwherehehas beensleepingandhastobebuttonedupbyMa.Heisannoyedbutkeepsthinkingaboutthegrapeshe willeatoncehegetstoCalifornia.CasycomesandasksifhecangowiththeJoads.Inthelate afternoon,Paandthefamilyarrivewiththetruck.Heistiredandangrythattheyonlygot$18dollarsfor everythingthatthefamilypossessed.AfamilyconferenceisheldwherethetruckandtakingCasyis discussed.TheydecidetotakehimwiththemtoCalifornia.Theydecidetoslaughtertwopigsthat night,workthroughthenight,andleaveatdawnthenextday. Mahastosortthroughtheirpersonal souvenirs.ShechoosesafewwhichshecantaketoCaliforniaandthrowstherestintothefire.Asthey arereadytoleave,MuleyGravescomesuptosaygoodbye.TheJoadsoffertotakehimalong,buthe cantbringhimselftoleavethisland.ThenGranpasaysheisnotgoing.HesayshewilllivelikeMuley does.Tompullsthefamilyasideforadiscussionandtheyagreethattheycantleavehimhere,butthey cantforcehimbecausehewouldhurthimself.TheydecidetogivehimasleepingmedicinethatMa oncehadforoneofthekids.TheygiveGrampaabigdoseinhiscoffeeandsoonheissoundasleep. TheyloadGrampaonthetruck,askMuleyifhecanlookafterthedogs,andgivehimthechickensthat theyareleaving. ThefirsthintofdoubtappearsinthischapterasMaJoadquestionsherfaithinthingsbeingso goodinCalifornia.ThenTomtellswhathehadheardfromaCaliforniamanaboutpeoplenothaving enoughtoeat,etc.Buttheydecidetolivefromdaytoday.Throughouttherestofthenovel,thatis aboutalltheycando. Symbolically,Granpadiesinthischapter.Whenherefusestoleavetheland,heis tryingtoholdontothelastthingheunderstands.Afterheisgiventhemedicineandpassesout,heis neverfullyawareoflifeagain. Chapter11summaryandcommentary Thischaptertellsofthevacanthouseswhicharenthomesanymoreandabouthowtheland seemslessthatitwasbecausethepeoplehaveleftit.Thenthemachineryandartificialfertilizersappear, whicharenotofthenaturallandandnotofthepeople,soeverythinglosesitssenseofthepersonal. ThisintercalarychapterseemstopointoutpartofthesadnessofGranpassituation.Asheis dyingasaresultofleavingtheland,sothelandwhichonceseemedhuman,becomesmoredehumanized. Thelandisnowbarrenandvacantandmechanicalandhasnopurpose.

6 Chapter12summaryandcommentary ThischaptertellsofHighway66andhowitleadsfromSallisaw,OklahomatoBakersfield, California.Itgoesovermountains,thenplainsandmoremountainsandthencomestothetreacherous desert.ButontheothersideofmoremountainsarethebeautifulgreenvalleysofCalifornia.Ontothis highway pourstreamsofcarswhichattimesformacaravan.Alongthewaytheyhavetostopandbuy

partsforthecarsandeachpersontriestocheatthem.Itisagainstthelawtostealafourdollartire,buta mancansellthemanogoodtireformuchmorethanfourdollarsandthatisntagainstthelaw.Sorather thanbuyfromthistypeofman,theytrytomakeittothenextstation. Thissecondshortintercalarychaptersgivesthereaderaviewofthelongtrailandthemanytrials whichtheJoadswillfaceontheirjourneyacrossthecountry. Chapter13summaryandcommentary TheystopbyaclumpofbushesalongtheroadtoeatlunchandsoGrampacangotothe bathroom.Forthefirsttime,theyrealizetheyhaveforgottentobringwater.Theygoontoagasstation andgetwater.Whileeveryoneisgettingadrink,thedogrunsoutinfrontofapassingcarandiskilled. RoseofSharonseesitandisfrightenedthatitwillhavesomeeffectonherbaby.Theydriveonuntil dark.Tomseesacoupleparkedalongsidetheroad,sotheJoadsstopandaskiftheywouldmind company.ThiscoupleistheWilsonsfromKansas.TheircarhasbrokendownagainandMr.Wilson doesntknowhowtofixit.ThatnightGrampahasastrokeanddies.Theymustburyhimthereand moveon.Theyburyabottlewithhimwithanoteinitexplainingwhoheisincaseanyoneeverfinds him.Duringsupper,theWilsonsexplainthattheyhavebeenontheroadforthreeweeksandhavehad constantcartrouble.TomandAl promisetofixthecar.ThesuggestionismadethattheWilsonstravel withtheJoadsbecausetheJoadsareoverloadedandtheWilsonsdontknowhowtokeepthecar running.TheWilsonshappilyaccepttheoffer. Thebirthanddeaththemeisbroughtupinthischapter.Thedogiskilled,RoseofSharonis concernedaboutherunbornbaby,thenGrampadies.Thefamilyunitisanimportantpartofthischapter. ThedeathofGramparepresentsthebreakingupofthesmallerfamilyunit,butatthesametimethe WilsonsareadoptedintotheJoadfamily.Thissuggeststhelargerconceptofaworldfamily.InJim Casysfuneralspeechweseeemphasisplacedontheliving,notonthedead. Chapter14summaryandcommentary Thischapterfocusesonthewesternstatesandhowthepeopledonotunderstandthegreat changethatistakingplaceinAmerica.Peoplearepouringinfromotherplaces,campedalongsidethe roadseverywhere. Thisveryshortintercalarychapterisbeginningtoestablishapictureofthenewtypeofsocietyin themaking.Itisamigrantsociety,formedforanightandthenbrokenup.Thereistheideaofchange fromIlostmylandtoWelostour land.Theindividualisbeingsubmergedintoalargerconcept. Chapter15summaryandcommentary ThischapterfocusesonadineralongHighway66.Mae,awaitress,treatsthetruckdriverswith respect.Whenanoldcarwithatenantfamilypullsinandasksforatencentloafofbread,sheoffersto sellhimasandwichinstead.Heexplainsthatthetencentsmustfeedtheentirefamily.Healsoaskshow muchthecandyis,sincehistwokidsarelookingatit.Shesaysitstwopiecesforapenny.Shesells himtheloafofbread(whichcostherfifteencents)fortencents,andhebuystwopiecesofcandyforthe kids.Afterheleaves,wefindoutthatthecandyisanickelapiece,andthetruckdriversleaveafiftycent tipeach,whilethepietheyatecostonlyfifteencents. Thischaptershowsapartofsocietywhich istouchedbythenewmigrantsociety.Thevarious standsalongHighway66remindthereaderoftheplightoftheOkiesandshowushowthesepeople areviewedbyothers. 7 Chapter16summaryandcommentary TheJoadsandtheWilsonscontinuetocrawlwestward.Theyhavesettledintoapatternofliving. Thetruckleadsandthecarfollows.RoseofSharontellsAlthatsheandConniewanttoleavethefamily andmoveintotown.AtfirstMaJoadisupset,butthensherealizesthatitisjustadream.Thenthecar breaksdownsotheystop.TomandCasysendeveryoneelseaheadinthetruckwhiletheystaybehindto getthecarfixed.Theyreasonthatsincethecarisfastertheywillbeabletocatchup.Masuddenly rebelsandtakesoutajackhandle.Shetellsthemtheyarenotgoingtobreakupthefamilyunderany

circumstances.Theyareforcedtogiveintoher.Tomsendsthemondowntheroadtofindaplacefor thenightwhileheandCasybegintoworkonthecar.LaterAlreturnsandtheydrivetotheclosesttown insearchofparts.Theyfindpartsandreturn.Whentheyfindtherestofthefamilyatthecamp,the proprietortellsthemthattheywillhavetopayanextrafiftycentsiftheywanttostay.Itisfiftycentsa car,otherwiseadeputywillarrestthemforbeingvagrants.Tomtellsthemthathewilltakethecardown theroadawaysbuttheotherswillstay.Amansittingonaporchasksthemwheretheyaregoing.Pa explainsthattheyareheadingforCaliforniainordertogetwork.Araggedmanontheporchbeginsto laugh.Hetellsthemthathehasalreadybeenthereandheisgoingbackhometostarve.Pawonders aboutthehandbillshehasseen.Themansaysthatarancherorlandownerneedseighthundredhands andheprintsfivethousandhandbillsandthenabouttwentythousandpeopleseethemandcomeforthe job.Sowhentheworkersgetthere,theyfindthattherearemanymorepeoplethanjobs,andtheyhave toworkforwagessolowtheycantfeedtheirfamilies.Hetellsthemtoalwaysfindoutinadvancehow muchapersonispayinginwages.Ittookhimalongtimetofindthesethingsout.Inthemeantime,he sawhistwochildrendieofstarvation,andnowhiswifeisalsodead.Thentheraggedmanfadesaway intothedarkness. ThischapterfurtherpresentsthetrialsoftheJoadfamily.Granmaissickerandalmostdead.The Wilsonscarbreaksdown.However,inthesamewaythattheJoadsrefusetodeserttheWilsons,Ma refusestoallowthefamilytoseparate.InthischaptertheJoadsforthefirsttimerunintotheconcept thattheyarevagrantsandbums.Thisishardforthemtotake,becausesofartheyhavebeenpayingtheir ownway,anduntilrecentlyhadalwaysthoughtofthemselvesashavinglandoftheirown.Thehorrible scenewiththeraggedmanfunctionslikesomevisionofthefuturetakenfromsomemedievalwork.His predictionsfortheJoadsandthestoryofhislossescontrastwiththehopesanddreamsandstrugglesof theJoadfamily. Chapter17summaryandcommentary Thischapterspeaksaboutthewaythemigrantfamiliessticktogetherasonefamily.Eachnight twentycarsstoptogetherandallseemasonefamily.Thereisthegradualestablishmentofrulesand rightsandconduct.Seldomarethereanyunpleasantepisodes.Whenalawisviolated,themanis expelledfromthecompany.Mostofthefamilieseasilyadapttothislifestyle. Thisisanotheroftheintercalarychaptersdevotedtoshowingtheestablishmentofthisnew migrantsociety.Weseethesocietyisbuildingfromthesmallfamilyunitintothelargerunitcomposedof abouttwentyfamilies.ThisforeshadowsthegovernmentcampsthatwillbesetupinCaliforniawhere thepeoplehavetheirown setoflaws.Steinbecksemphasisisonthefactthatthesepeople,while migrant,arenotlawless.Theyfunctionbestundersometypeoflawandorder,buttheymustbeableto understandthatlawandorder. Chapter18summaryandcommentary TheJoadsfinallycrossArizonaandreachtheboarderofCalifornia,wheretheystoptoprepareto crossthedesert.Theyhaveonlyfortydollarsleft.Soonamanandhisboyshowupandasktojointhe Joads.HeexplainsthathecantmakealivinginCaliforniaandwouldratherstarvewiththefolkshe knowsbackhome.HeasksPaifhehasbeencalledanOkieyet.HeexplainsthatandOkieusedto meanapersonfromOklahoma,butnowitmeansadirtysonofabitch.Theydecidetotrytocrossthe desertthatnight.Noahtells 8 Tomthatheisntlovedastheotherchildrenandhehasdecidedtostayrightherebythisriver.Tomtries tochangehismindbutisunsuccessfulandwatchesNoahfadeawaydowntheriver.Granmaisverysick atthispointandapolicemanapproachesMaJoadandtellshertheyhadbetternotbeheretomorrow. Matellshimheneedssomemanners.ThepolicemansayshedoesntwantanyOkiessettlingdown here.WhenMafindsoutaboutNoahleavingshefeelsthefamilyisfallingapart.Theyaregettingready togowhenIvyWilsonshowsupandsaysthatSarahWilsoncantgo.Sarahknowssheisdyingof cancer,butshedoesntwantherhusbandtoknow.Theybeginthelongtripacrossthedesert.When theycometoanotherbordercontrolstation,theofficertellsthemhehastoinspectallofthebelongings.

Mafranticallytellshimtheyhaveasickwomanwiththem.Heletsthempass.Atthenexttown,Matells themthatGranmadoesntneedadoctor.Thefamily isconfusedbyMasactions.Afterdrivingallnight theyfinallyreachthemountainsontheothersideofthedesert.MathentellsthemthatGranmadied earlyinthenight.EveryoneisawedbyMasgreatstrengthandlove. ArrivinginCalifornia,theJoadshavetheirfirstencounterwithcopsandfirstheartheword Okieusedinsuchaderogatorymanner.InthischapterMarealizesthatthefamilyisbreakingup.As theeconomicplightoftheJoadsbecomesprogressivelyworse,thefamilybeginstobreakup.Noahis thefirsttoleave(afterhissymbolicbaptismalritualintheriver).ThentheJoadshavetopartwiththe Wilsons.ThenGranmadies.Asthefamilyisbreakingup,Masstrengthdoublesinherattempttohold thefamilytogether. Hereveryactiscompletelyunselfish.Sheputsthewelfareofthefamilyaboveher personaldesire. Chapter19summaryandcommentary ThischapterisanoverviewofwhathashappenedovertheyearstothelandinCalifornia.The storygoeslikethis.OnceCaliforniabelongedtoMexico,buthungryAmericanscameandtooktheland awayfromthecomplacentMexicans.Atfirsttheyonlywantedtogrowalittlecropandwereconsidered squatters.Butgraduallythesesquattersgrewtothinkthatthelandwastheirsbecausetheyhadtaken theirlivingfromthisland.Thentheyacquiredmoreandbecamecomplacentthemselves.Farmingthen becameanindustry.TheyimportedChinese,Japanese,Mexicansandothers.Theyspecializedintheir crops.Soon,theyfarmedonpaperonly,hiringoverseerstolookaftertheland,andsomeofthegreat ownersneversawtheirpropertyexceptonpaper.Thenthegreatmigrationbegan.Thepeoplefrom Kansas,Oklahoma,andTexasbegantoarrive.Theownerswerefrightened.Theycouldnotallowthese hungrypeopletobecomesquattersbecausethesquatterswouldbegintothinkofownership.Butthese Okieswerehungryandstrongandtheownerswerefullandsoft.SotheOkiessettledinHoovervilles andlookedforwork,andsometimesonewouldtrytogrowasecretgardeninafallowfield,butadeputy wouldfindoutaboutitanddestroyit.TheownersandthelittlepeoplegrewtohatetheseOkies.They wereathreattothem.Sothegreatownerscutthewagesandusedtheextramoneytohireguardsand trainmentoprotecttheirproperty.ButtheOkieskeptcoming,andtheyprayedtoGodforadayto comewhenakidcouldeatenoughtokeepfromstarving,andforadaytocomewhenallthegood peoplewontallbepoorpeople. ThischapterpresentsthedevelopmentoflandownershipinCalifornia.Itshowsthesocial situationintowhichthemigrantsaretryingtoenter.Thelandisownedbyafewlargeownersforthe mostpart.Therearesmallerowners,butthey areatthemercyofthelargerones.Butthisisnotthefirst timethissocietyhasusedmigrantlabor.BeforetheappearanceoftheOkies,thegreatownershad immigratedpeoplefromJapan,China,Mexico,etc.ButtheOkiespresentanotherproblembecausethey comefromsevengenerationsofAmericans.TheownersthinktheOkiesaredangerous.Theowners dontrealizethattheOkiesaredangerousbecausetheyhavesuchastrongfaithintheirpeople.

9 Chapter20summaryandcommentary ThechapterbeginswithMaandPaJoadhavingtoleaveGranmasbodyatthecountycoroners officebecausetheycantaffordafuneral.Theydrivetotheedgeoftownandcampinafilthyplaceand Tomtalkstoamanabouttheworksituation.Themanexplainsthatabosswillsendouthandbillssaying heneedssomanymen.Threeorfourtimesthatmanywillshowupandthemancutsthewages.Tom askswhythemigrantsdontgettogetherandorganize.Themanexplainsthatwhensomeonetriestodo that,heisarrestedasatroublemaker.RoseofSharontellsConniehowsicksheis.Sheremindshimthat theymusthaveahousebeforethebabyisborn.Conniewalksoutofthetentanddowntheroad.Ma cooksdinnerandattractsalargecrowdofkids.Al talkstothesamemanTomhadtalkedtoandfinds thatthereisnoworkinthisarea.Mastartsdishingupthestew.Thestrangechildrenarestillstanding

around.Madoesntknowwhattodobecauseshedoesnthaveenoughforherownfamily.Aftershe dishesup,shetellsthekidstogetsticksandtheycanscrapethepotforataste.Masetsthepotdown andhurriesintothetentsoshewonthavetoseethechildren.Amanwithadeputyarrivesincampand announcesthatheneedsworkers200milestothenorth.Whenaskedhowmuchheispaying,theman saysthatifthepeopledontgo,hewillhavethecampburneddowntonight.Ascufflefollows,the deputyshootsawomaninthehand,andTomisinvolved.CasysendsTomaway,remindinghimthathe hasbrokenparole.Whenmoredeputiesarrive,Casytakesalltheblame.LaterAlcallsTomoutof hidingandtheybegintopackuptoleave.UncleJohncantstandthepressureanymoreandgoesoffto getdrunk.Tomfindshiminaditchandhastoknockhimouttotakehimback.Astheyleave,theyare preparedfortrouble.Theycometoablockadewheretheyareturnedbackbydeputies,butTomfinds anotherwayaroundthetown. Granmasdeathsuggeststhefurtherdisintegrationofthefamily. Thearrivalatthefirstcampin CaliforniaisarevealingeventfortheJoads.Itisaplaceofextremeuglinessandcontraststothehopes theyhaddreamedof.Thefamilyisrapidlydeterioratingeconomicallyandmorallyanditisphysically breakingup.ConnieleavesRoseofSharon.Casyisgonebecausehetooktheblamewiththepoliceand wasarrested.JimCasysrolechangesinthischapter.Untilnowhehasbeenamanofthinking.Nowhe hasputhisthoughtsintoactions.HeoffershimselfasasacrificeforTom.Itishiswayofrepayingthe Joads. Chapter21summaryandcommentary ThisisanintercalarychapterwhichtalksaboutthelandownersinCaliforniabeinghappyatthe lowlaborcostsandhighcropprofits,butverynervousaboutthewholemigrantsituation.Thesegreat companiesdidnotrealizethatthereisathinlinebetweenhungerandanger. Thischaptersuggeststhatmostofthelittleindependentfarmersarebeingcaughtupinatrapby thelargerlandowningfirms.Butthischapteralsosuggestshowtheproblemgoesbeyondtheimmediate landownersandaffectstheclerksinstoreswhoareafraidfortheirlittlejobs,andthesepeoplealsoturn againsttheOkies. Chapter22summaryandcommentary TheJoadsarriveatthegovernmentcampandTomisangrytofindthatthereisnoworkinthe area.Thepeopleinthecampmaketheirownlaws.ThenextmorningTommeetstheWallacefamily. Theyhavealsohadveryhardtimesandhaveevenhadtoselltheircarfortendollars,whichtheylater sawonsaleintheusedcarlotforseventyfive.Tomcantunderstandwhytheywanttocuthimin.They aretoldbytheboss(whoissympathetictothembutcandonothingaboutit)thattherewillbesome troubleatthedanceon Saturdaynight.MaJoadandRoseofSharonarebothabletoshowerhere,but whileMaisattheshowers,awomanwhoisareligiousfanaticcomesbyandtellsRoseofSharonhow sinfulpeoplehereareandalsoaboutawomanwhosebabywasbornblackanddeadbecauseofthe motherssins.ThewomenscommitteeappearsandMaandRoseofSharongowiththemtolearnall aboutthecamp.MeanwhilePa,UncleJohn,andAlareoutlookingforwork.Theycontinuallyseesigns whichsayNohelpwanted:Notrespassing.WhenMaJoad 10 andRoseofSharonarrivebackatthetent,thewomanwhobotheredRoseofSharoncomesbackand doessoagain,constantlysayinghowsinfulpeopleare.Mafinallygetsridofherandistoldthatthe womanisinsane. Thischapterfunctionsasacontrasttotheprecedingone.IntheHoovervillecamptheyweremet byabullsimplemigrant,heretheyarecordiallyreceivedbythemanager.InHoovervilletherewas disorderandfilth.Hereorderandcleanlinessprevail. ThefearofthepoliceatHoovervilleisreplacedby confidenceinthecommitteewhichrulesthecamp.Therefore,bycontrast,thisgovernmentcampseems tobearealparadise.ThemannerinwhichTomtakestohisworkshowsthatheisnotjustadrifter.He couldeasilybecomeameaningfulmemberofsocietyifheweregivenachance.Wemustrememberthat eventhoughthiscampisparadisecomparedwiththelastone,theJoadsarestillmigrantswhoareasfar awayfromtheirdreamasever.

Chapter23summaryandcommentary Thisintercalarychapterisdevotedtoshowingthemigrantsocietyandhow,inbetweentheir franticeffortstolive,theycreatepleasurethroughmusic,religion,tellingstories,etc.HereSteinbeckis implyingthatthesearethetypeofpeoplefromwhomgreatfolkepicsandfolkmusicarecreated.They areapeoplewithawonderfulculture. Chapter24summaryandcommentary ThechapterbeginswiththepeoplepreparingforthedanceonSaturdaynight.Theworkers knowthatthereisapossibilityoftroubleandarepreparedforit.RoseofSharondoesntwanttogoto thedancebecauseofhercondition.TomandanIndiannamedJulearestationedatthefrontgateto watchfortroublemakers.JuleimmediatelyspotsthreeguyswhosaythataMr.Jacksoninvitedthem. Tomchecksouttheirstoryandallagreethatthesearethetroublemakers,butdecidetoleavethemalone unlesstheystarttrouble.Thedancebeginsandeverythinggoessmoothlyforawhile.Thenoneofthe threeguysgoesandinsistsondancingwithanothermansgirl.Immediatelythecommitteedesignatedto dealwiththisspotsthemandmovesin.Thethreearequietlyapprehended,butintheconfusionsomeone blowsawhistle.Acarloadofdeputiesarrivesatthegate,demandingthattheguardopenupbecause thereisariotinside.Theguardtellsthemtolistentothequietmusic.Theypullbackandwait.The threetroublemakersarefoundtobemigrantsthemselvesandaretoldtoleaveandmakenomoretrouble. Thischaptershowstheeffectsofgoodorganization.Themigrantsworktogethertoachievetheir goalsandthisimpliesthatthesepeoplehavetheabilitytoworkwellandefficientlyifgiventhechance. Theeasewithwhichtheysolveadifficultproblemandsavetheircampsuggeststheadvantageof organizing.Weseewhytheownerswanttodestroythecamps.Itisbecauseifthemigrantsorganizeall overCalifornia,thentheownerswillnotbeinthepowerfulpositiontheyareinnow.In thefinalpartof thechapterthementalkoforganizingandthispreparesusforsomeattemptatorganizationbythemen lateron. Chapter25summaryandcommentary ThischaptershowsthesmallfarmersinCaliforniaatthemercyofthelargerfirms.Theycannot competewiththelargefirmsandareforcedbythemtoselltheircropsatlowerprices.Thelargerfirms forcewagesdownandkeepthepriceslow,butatthesametimekeepthepriceofthecannedproduct (whichtheyown)high,andinthisway theyareforcingthesmallownertosellouttothelargerone.In thesoulsofmanypeople,Thegrapesofwratharefillingandgrowingheavy,growingheavyforthe vintage. Chapter26summaryandcommentary MatellsthefamilythattheymustleavebecausetheyarealmostoutoffoodandonlyTomhas workedatall.Theysplituptopreparetogo.Itisstilldarkwhenthegetuptogo.Winteriscoming andMaisworriedaboutfindingahousebeforethen.Thetruckhasaflattireandwhiletheyarefixingit amancomesbyandtellsthemwherethereiswork.Itisonly 11 thirtyfivemilesaway.Theygoimmediately.Whentheyarriveatthetowntheyaremetbymany policemenandtoldthewagesarefivecentsabox.Theyareledthrough amobofpeoplewhoare shoutingthings.ThepeoplelooklikeOkiesandmigrants.Tomaskswhatthetroubleisandapatrolman tellshimtomindhisownbusiness.Theyareletinsideahugefenceandtoldtounloadinshacknumber sixtythree.Themen unloadandheadimmediatelyforthepeachorchard.Afteranentiredayswork withallfamilymembershelping,theyhavecollectivelyearnedadollar.Magoeswithacreditsliptothe storewhereshefindsthatthepricesarehigherherethanintown,andalsoofaninferiorquality,butshe candonothingaboutit.Shespendsherdollarandstilldoesnthaveenoughtofeedthefamily.After supperTomgoesbackandclimbsunderafencetoseeifhecanfindoutwhatallthetroublewasabout. TherehefindsJimCasywhoistryingtoorganizethepeople.Heandthepeopleontheoutsidehadcome topickforfivecentsabox,buttheownerscutittotwoandahalfcentsabox.Themenwentonstrike.

Sincethentheyhavebeendrivenlikepigs.SuddenlyJimandTomarecaughtbyagroupofpolicemen. TheykillCasyandTom,inafitofrage,killsoneofthem.Tomisbeatenbadlybutmanagestoescape. Hehidesinsomebrushandgraduallyworkshiswaybacktothecamp.Thenextmorning,bloody and swollen,hetellshisfamilyhemustleave.Mawontallowit.ThatnighttheyallleaveandsneakTom outwiththem.DowntheroadTomnoticesasignaskingforcottonpickers.Hetellshisfolksthathe willhideinthenearbycreek.Theyagree,andTomtakesablanketwithhimandgoesintohiding. ThischaptershowsMaJoadforcingactionontherestofthefamily.Sheforcesthemtoleavethe governmentcamp,thenlaterforcesTomtostaywiththemastheyleavethepeachpickingjob.Asthe Joadsarepushedaroundmoreandmore,thereisanemphasisonthemeannessofpeople.Everyoneis gettingmean.Thepolicearegettingharsher,andeventhepickersgetintomeanargumentsaboutwho hastherighttopickatatree.Tomisemergingasacharacterwhonowcaresforothersmorethan himself,whichisverydifferentfromTomatthebeginningofthestory.CasyisnowemergingasaChrist figure.Earlierhehadgoneintothewildernessinordertofigurethingsout.Nowhehasbeeninjailand seenhoworganizationscanbeeffective.CasydiesasChristdid,saying,Youdontknowwhatyoure adoin.ItwillrequiremorethinkingonTomspartbeforeheisreadytotakeupandcompleteCasys mission. Chapter27summaryandcommentary Thischapterisaboutthehorribleconditionsandlowwagesofthecottonpickers.Itpreparesus fortheJoadsexperienceswithpickingcotton.ThiswillbethelastworktheJoadswillget. Chapter28summaryandcommentary TheJoadsareoneof thefirstfamiliestoreachthecottonfieldsandthereforegetoneofthe boxcarstolivein.Theymust,however,shareitwithanotherfamily.Thingsgofineforawhile,butthen RuthiegetsintoafightwithanothergirlandtellsaboutTom(whowouldprotectherandhadkilled) hidingout.MagoestoTomscaveandtellshimthathemustgo.Tomexplainsthathehastofinishthe workthatCasystarted.Heisgoingtotrytoorganizethepeople.OnherwaybackMaseesasmall farmerwhosaysheneedspickerstomorrow.Alandagirlinthecamphavedecidedtogetmarried,so theycelebrate.TheJoadsandWainwrights(theotherfamilyintheboxcar)decidetopickcottonforthe smallfarmertomorrow.Earlynextmorningtheygo,butsomanypeoplehavearrivedtoworkthatitis alldonebyelevenoclock.RoseofSharonwentwiththemandonthewaybackitrained.Whenthey arrivebackattheboxcarsheishavingchills. Noticetheseasonalmetaphor usedinthischapter.Winteriscomingsoon.Wecanalsosee patheticfallacyinthefactthatitisraining.Inthischapterthefamilydiminishesfurtherasweloseboth TomandAl.

12 Chapter29summaryandcommentary Thischapterisaboutthecomingrainsandflooding.Peopleareengulfedinwaterandmud. Everywherepeoplearelivinginhopelessdespair.Thisisthelastintercalarychapterandpredictsthe rainsthatwilldrownouttheJoadsinthenextchapter.ItgivesusahintofwhatwillhappentotheJoads aftertheformalcloseofthenovel. Chapter30summaryandcommentary ItrainshardandtheWainwrightsandJoadsbecomeonefamilyintheboxcar.RoseofSharonis sickandherfeverbringsonlaborpains.Theytryfranticallytobuildadamtokeepthewateroutbecause sheishavingababy.Theyseemtobewinningthefight,butfinallyatreefallsandknocksaholeintheir damandthewaterrushesinandfloodstheentirearea.RoseofSharonhasthebabybutitisstillborn. PaandAlandUncleJohntakeasightontherisingwatertoseeifitwillcomeintotheboxcar.They decidetotakepartofthetruckbedandbuildaplatformintheboxcartokeeptheirthingsdry.Uncle Johntakestheboxwiththedeadbabyinitandplacesitinthestreamwhereitfloatsaway.Aftertwo

daysinthesemifloodedboxcartheyescapetoabarnthatlooksdry.Inthebarntheyfindamananda boyhuddlingnexttohim.Theboyexplainsthathisfatherisstarvingandhasnteatenforsixdays.The boystolesomebread,butthemanvomiteditup.Heneedssoupormilk.Matellshimnottoworry,and asksfortheboysdryblanketforRoseofSharon.shegetsthewetclothesoffRoseofSharonandlooks askinglytoRoseofSharonwhounderstandswhatMawantsandnodsinagreement.MawrapsRoseof Sharonintheblanketandleadstheothersoutofthebarn.RoseofSharongoestothemanandliesdown byhim.Shegentlytakeshisheadandleadsittoherfullbreasts. RoseofSharonsdreamofhavingherownplaceisdestroyedbecauseofthesevereconditions theyface.Sheisnowachangedpersonandforthefirsttimerealizesthefullmeaningofher womanhood.WhenRoseofSharonisinlaborParisestohisonelastgreateffort.Heorganizesthemen tohelpbuildthedamandtriestokeepthewateroutofthecamp.Whenthedamfails,Parelinquishesall effortstorunthefamily.ForallofMaseffortstoholdthefamilytogether,itcontinuestodisintegrate. ShenowcomesaroundtoCasys(andlaterToms)pointofview.ShesaystoMrs.Wainwrightthatthe familyusedtobefirst,butnowitisanyonewhoneedshelp.Mahasbecomeapartofagreaterhuman societythanisrepresentedsolelybythefamily.Withthecloseofthenovel,theJoadsplightisatits lowest.Theyhavenomoney,theyhaveabandonedtheircarandproperty,theyhavenofood,theyare wetandsickly,andtheyhavetofacetheoncomingwinterwithnoplacetoliveandnowork.Butinspite ofthesedistressingthings,thenovelendsonanupwardnote.RoseofSharonisgivinglifetoadying stranger.Thereistherealizationoftheneedofeachindividualtohelpanotherregardlessofwhoheis.

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