Friday, July 31, 2015
Chapter 22
Chapter 22 in my opinion gives a comparison of what California is like for the migrants who are arriving. I came to this conclusion because as seen in previous chapters the camps that were scattered throughout California were dirty and overcrowded. We would also see how the general population of California doesn't like at all the incoming migrants looking for jobs. This resulted in the residents of California disrespecting, and showing very rude and unfair treatment toward these migrating families. This view of California however was changed during this chapter, when the Joad's found themselves in a government camp which was clean, not crowded, and free of unfair treatment. The people within this camp were also very different as they seemed to welcome and treat the Joad family with respect. Ma Joad was one of the characters most impacted by this change since she said that she had felt like she was treated as a person again. I believe that this is a clear comparison of the two types of communities that could be found in California as well as the two types of people and treatment that, as a migrant family, you could come across.
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When Ma Joad stated that she felt like a human again, it was there that I realized how horrible she must have been treated and what I can only imagine has happened along their journey. Government camps seem too good to be true, in my opinion. Cops could burn down Hooverville camps and do whatever they want with "okies", but why can't they do anything to the Government camp? Why are they so special? I wonder if there are more Government camps besides that one. By the way, good analysis on the chapter.
ReplyDeleteExcellent analysis. I agree that the camps indicate a change in the tone of the book. Every so often Steinbeck seems to bring something into the story that inspires hope in the characters journey again. I believe the government camp is Steinbeck's way of relieving the reader of the tone of misery and despair in the book. However, reliefs or changes in the tone often foreshadow further tragedy to come.
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