Chapter 9

I really enjoyed this chapter. This isn't going to be analyzing really, but bear with me. So, in this chapter, the tenants are selling their goods for any price people are willing to pay. For example, when the tenant is selling the horses he says, "Oh, take 'em...you're buying a little girl plaiting the forelocks, taking off her hair ribbons to make bows, standing back, head cocked, rubbing soft noses with her cheek," (Steinbeck, p. 58, 1939).

This quote really stood out to me, because a similar thing happened. When my family moved, we had to sell everything that wasn't "essential." We had this very comfortable rocking chair. It was my favorite to sit on. On that chair, my mom taught me how to count every night before I went to kindergarten. I remember one night being able to count up to 300 all by myself, and my mom was very happy and congratulated me; this made me feel very proud! So, when the time came to move, and we sold the chair, I was sad, because of all of the fun and happy memories I had created because of it.

I think that's what this chapter was about. That everything we own, and have memories about, become part of us. They hold our ideas, our thoughts, a part of our lives. So when they had to get rid of all their belongings, they were getting rid of all of their cherished memories. They were leaving behind their own lives. They were leaving behind themselves.

Chapter 8 The Reunion

In chapter 8, Tom and Jim Casy finally reach Uncle John's house. Before they arrived to John's house Tom was telling Jim Casy John's story. His story was that once he was married to a young women but she passed away. Tom said he was a lonely man and that after her death he kept to himself. John blamed himself for her death because when his wife was complaining about the pain from her stomachache, he just told her that she ate too much and to take some painkillers. Surely she died the next day around four. John had changed and learned from her death. "Made a damn nuisance of himself. Ever'time one of us kids got worms or a gutache Uncle John brings a doctor out"
(Steinbeck, 1939, p. 69).  This quote shows that John became too cautious and protective because he didn't want the same thing to happen again to one of the kids. Tom was telling Jim that John was getting meaner every year but he was still a good man. Tom said that John would give away a lot of his things but he was still unhappy.

When they arrived to the house, the first person Tom saw was his dad fixing the truck for the trip to California. He went up to his dad but his dad didn't notice it was him. A short while later Tom's dad turned to him and realized it was his son. After seeing his dad they went to see his mother who was cooking inside. They had come up with a plan to surprise her, it was to act as if Tom and Jim Casy were strangers who were walking on the road and were wondering if they could have something to eat. After his mother realized it was him they did what anyone would do when seeing someone after four years. Tom's dad went into the barn to tell Tom's grandparents and Noah that Tom was back. His grandpa was the third to greet him, then his grandma, and lastly his brother Noah. At the end of the chapter his oldest brother came back from "squirtin' aroun'". Al and Tomm were the last ones in this chapter to come together.

Chapter Seven

The purpose of this chapter was to give a metaphorical example of the baffled people, including the Joads, that are in need of a car. “People are wandering in, bewildered, needing a car.” ( Steinbeck, 1939, pg.64). This quote demonstrates the desperate need of a car which gives cruel salesmen the perfect opportunity to take advantage of the sharecroppers. The sharecroppers are aware of the poor conditions the cars are in but have no choice but take it. The car salesman talks in a staccato rhythm making him seem in control. There is confidence in the salesman because of his fast talking and repetition. Those bewildered represent the Joads and the other families who aren’t sure what their future holds. To include, the salesman is a metaphor for the people that will take advantage of the Joads as they travel to California.

Chapter 6 The Joads prepare to go to California

In chapter 6 , Tom and Jim Casy come across Muley Graves. Muley tells Tom that his family home got demolished by the Willy Freeley's Tractor , and now they are staying at Uncle John's house. Muley also tells Tom that his family is preparing to go to California. "Well, they been choppin' cotton, all even the kids an' your grampa.... Gettin' money together so they can shove on west.... Gonna buy a car and shove on west where it's easy livin'" (Steinbeck, 1939, p. 46). This quote shows how Tom's family is preparing to go to California by chopping up cotton for money. The whole family is working so they can afford a car, and go west in two weeks. The family believe that by going west they will find jobs and have easier lives. Some conflicts that may arise if all the families are moving to California is the jobs might run out.There might not be enough opportunities for the number of families going to California.

Chapter Six

In chapter six, Tom tells Muley that in McAlester they treated him like every other place, just mind your own business and you'll be alright. Tom later states that if you had done something that you were ashamed of you would think about in prison, however he wasn't ashamed of killing Herb Turnbull. He tells Muley that if he were in a  predicament , like he was when he killed Herb,  he wouldn't hesitate to kill again. This foreshadows that if Tom is provoked, he would act maliciously.

Chapter 4: Casey for the People

In Chapter four we are introduced to reverend Jim Casey. As he talks to Tom, we begin to discover details about his life as a preacher. As Casey states, he does this because the people expect him to, as the following quote shows. "When folk set out food I give 'em grace, but my heart ain't in it. I only do it 'cause they expect it," (Steinbeck, 1939, p. 14).

Then, Casey tells Tom a story. "I'd take one of them girls out in the grass an' I'd lay with her....Then I'd feel bad, and I'd pray and pray, but it didn't do no good. Come the next time I'd do it again. Figgered...i was a damn ol' hypocrite," (Steinbeck, 1939, p. 15). This quote shows that Casey was using his power as a "Man of God" to  do evil, or wrong deeds. He felt hypocritical because he was preaching about morals/virtue, but he himself had sinful ideas and committed sinful actions. Casey wanted to be a good person because he was supposed to teach them right from wrong--he was responsible for them--but he was only human, and like everyone, he wasn't infallible. He felt remorse for abusing his position, because he wanted--needed--to be a good person, for he had a responsibility to the people. 

"There's me with all them people's souls in my han'--an' ever time, I lay with one of them girls.' He looked at Joad and his face looked helpless. His expression asked for help," (Steinbeck, 1939, p. 16). Here, it shows the emotional toll this took on Casey. He felt sick. He wasn't helping anybody, but he was still making it harder on himself, and even though he was trying to help others find the path of virtue, he himself was straying from it, and needed redirection. He felt he had a duty to service these people, to make them happy. 

"[I asked myself,] Don't you love Jesus?'...No, I don't know anyone name' Jesus...I only love people. An' sometimes I love 'em fit to bust, an' I want to make 'em happy, so I been preachin' somepin' I thought would make 'em happy," (Steinbeck, 1939, p. 16). Here, Casey explicitly states he preaches to make people happy, not because he believes in the word of the Lord. This shows that he is a very compassionate person, and cares for the people in his community. Not only did he sacrifice his own happiness, but his own beliefs; he never said he was religious himself, but he thought it would make people happy and safe, so he preached it anyway. He turned his back on himself, to give a helping hand to others.

 Do you agree, or disagree? Do you have anything to add? I'd love to hear your ideas! 

The Dust Bowl

   The setting takes place in Oklahoma (1931-1939). John Steinbeck described the skies as though they were dark, with thick clouds full of dust. Many dust storms approached and killed the youth of the crops being grown such as corn. Many weeds grew and spread throughout the crops killing them also. Oklahoma was doomed around that time. Farmers lost their crops and their land because of the drought, many families were concerned about their well beings as the population of Oklahoma started to decrease. The air was so polluted that the families had to tie handkerchiefs over their noses and put goggles on to protect their eyes. This made many people sit down and think about what they would do from there and what would be their next move to make their economy better. 

   Agree? Or disagree? Anything I need to add? Feel free to leave any comments below to help :)

Chapter 2: Tom Joad's charcter Traits through the Trucker's eyes

As chapter two starts, we are introduced  to the lone trucker. The trucker gets acquainted  with Tom Joads, after Joads asked him for a ride. The Trucker hesitantly agrees to Tom's request. The attentive Trucker first notices Tom's new clothes and shoes. As noted through this quote on page 8, " His eyes began at the new cap, moved down the new clothes to the new shoes". The driver is very suspicious of where Tom got his fresh clothes and his shoes. Through the trucker inquiries, we learn Tom's father is a farmer who owns forty acres of land. We also learn Tom and his dad have not communicated in a long time. On Page 9 the trucker says, ".... I seen your hands.... Been swingin' a pick or an ax or sledge....that shines up your hands....". This quote shows how Tom has very strong arms, and he has been lifting heavy material for a long period of time.

We also learn Through the Trucker's questioning that Tom's dad is named Tom Joad. The trucker feels that Tom is taciturn. " He stopped, feeling lonely after a long speech.... His secret eyes turned on his passenger.... Joad remained silent.... nervously the driver tried to force him into participation." (Steinbeck, 1939, p.10). This quote shows that the tom is a quiet individual. Through this quote, it is acquired that the Trucker gets very lonely on the Job. As their ride continues, we learn that Tom also drinks and smokes. The Trucker's interminable questioning brings out Tom's dark side, showing that Tom does not like being pestered. By the end of the Chapter, the, Tom reveals to the trucker that he has  been in a State Penitentiary for the past four years for committing murder. This revelations shows how forthright Tom is.

Thank you for reading my post, If you have you agree or disagree with the way Tom's character is described, please comment down below. If you have any extra information on the characterization of Tom, feel free to comment below. 

Chapter 1: Life and Corn

Hello everybody! This is my first post, so please bear with me!

Setting

In the first chapter, it opens with the description of the earth, and the tole the lack of rain is taking on the land. Steinbeck speaks of the red country and gray country; as the rain ceases to pour, the world turns pale, colorless, and overall dull. The red country became a pinker color, and the gray country became a whiter color.  I thought this symbolized the fact that the earth couldn't take the beating of the weather for much longer; it would soon become lifeless and uninhabitable--that it was losing the fight against the harsh climate. 

Corn

Steinbeck also tells of the earth drying, crusting, and cracking, as the rains continue to hide, and how the dust begins to take their place; moreover, the dust begins to harm the crops that the farmers were growing. "The wind raced faster over the land...the corn fought the wind with its weakened leaves until the roots were freed by the prying winds," (page 4). This quote demonstrates the effect that the wind and dust had on the crops, and the environment overall. The corn, a big cash crop, was a major part of farming in Oklahoma, so the fact that it was dying was, in a way, showing how difficult survival would be for every living thing that was part of this ecosystem--both human and nonhuman. 

The farmers would not be able to make a living for they had no crops to sell or eat, and most of the wildlife would have to adapt to a dryer, less luscious state of life. This was my interpretation of what the corn symbolized. Do you agree, or disagree? I would love to hear your interpretations! 

Welcome, Honors Students!

Students,

This is where you will be having discussions on the texts read in class. Bring in outside resources, make connections, and challenge each other's ideas! You should be commenting more than posting. Proofread your writing before publishing. Check this site on a regular basis, especially if you created a Post. You will want to engage in the discussions about what you wrote. Respond. Learn from one another. Question. Also, take a look at what alumni wrote in the archives.

Please title posts about The Grapes of Wrath by chapter #. This is so that you won't be "giving away" anything and spoiling suspense. Do not read posts for chapters that you have not yet read!

Have fun and be respectful. Happy Summer Reading!