The ray of hope the chapter ends with is that Rose of Sharon will save the Old Man with her milk. The hysteric child will not lose his father. The Joads have also survived as a family. While they have lost many people along the way such as Noah, Tom, Grampa, they have stayed strong. The Joads have grown a lot throughout the book. Overall, as a reader, I feel like the main ray of hope is that the Joads will survive every other tragic thing that happens to them in California and one day get their white house with a picket fence.
What did you guys think the Ray of Hope the book ended with was? Please comment down below.
Sunday, July 31, 2016
Saturday, July 30, 2016
Ma's Toughness
DO NOT READ IF YOU HAVEN'T READ CHAPTER 15 AND FORWARD
Um, this isn't really going to be as formal as I've written before, just a summary of my thoughts on Ma and how strong of a character she was.So, throughout the book, it said that Ma was what held the family together. Without her, the family function would crumble and cease to exist. We saw Ma's willingness to stand up for her family in Chapter 15, when the Wilson's car, driven by all, broke down. Tom said he'd stay behind to fix it, and he'd meet the family once they had made it to California.
Even after all the men had agreed, she refused, and even threatened to hit dad, and anyone who got in her way of keeping her family together. This may seem as Ma just being stubborn, but I thought it was incredibly brave of her since she stood up to her husband--the head of the family.
She didn't let her position in the family hierarchy--or in society--get in her way. She defied the rules of society; she was a woman, she had no say.
I like the fact that even Pa acknowledge Ma's power in the family. In chapter 28, he says, "Funny! Woman takin' over the fambly. Woman sayin' we'll do this here, an' we'll go there. An' I don't even care," (Steinbeck, 1939, 291).
I just really respected the fact that Ma was strong, and she didn't let anything stand in her way to secure her family's safety--not her husband, not society.
Chapter 30
Just a warning for those who have not finished the book yet this post will contain spoilers!
The Joads kindness throughout the book was very respectable because even when they did not have much, they still helped others. The closing sequence of the book was very powerful because despite having lost her baby, Rose of Sharon offers her breast milk to a sick man in need of it. Although some might find this image disturbing, I find it to be very honorable and kind.
Let me know what you guys found powerful in this chapter. Did I miss anything? Anything to add? Please comment down below.
The Joads kindness throughout the book was very respectable because even when they did not have much, they still helped others. The closing sequence of the book was very powerful because despite having lost her baby, Rose of Sharon offers her breast milk to a sick man in need of it. Although some might find this image disturbing, I find it to be very honorable and kind.
Let me know what you guys found powerful in this chapter. Did I miss anything? Anything to add? Please comment down below.
Jim Casy as a Christ-figure
Ever since Jim Casy went to jail for Tom, he has been symbolized as a Christ-figure and in this chapter, he has secured his position as a Christ-figure. Just like Jesus Christ, Casy had his followers. “ Some a them fellas in the tank was drunks, but mostly they was there ’cause they stole stuff; an’ mostly it was stuff they needed an’ couldn’ get no other way,” (Steinbeck, 1939, pg.382). Jim Casy knew those robbers weren’t bad people because they did what they had to do in order to survive. Jim Casy realizes that group action is very effective and can help increase wages. Before Casy got hit by one of the vigilantes he tells them, “You don’ know what you’re a-doin’,” (Steinbeck, 1939, pg.386), this paraphrases Jesus’ dying words. Jim Casy died for his people which will make Tom continue the work that Casy has begun.
All feedback is appreciated and you are more than welcomed to add anything you think I missed.
All feedback is appreciated and you are more than welcomed to add anything you think I missed.
Tuesday, July 26, 2016
Chapter 23 Finding Escape and Salvation
The migrants have several ways of being able to escape the reality that they live in. The migrants would gather around and tell each other stories to entertain themselves and to take their minds off of the situations they were in. They can also drink enough to the point that they do not remember the life they are living at the moment. Something that they would do to escape was listening to music and dancing, hours can be spent doing this. Church was a way for migrants to find salvation but can also be a way to focus their attention on God rather than their life. Although these activities are only temporarily and soon they will go back to reality. Those few minutes or hours that they spent trying to escape is better than nothing all.
Saturday, July 23, 2016
Black Lives Matter and the Migrant People.
Hey guys, the quotes in this entry were taken from chapters 19 and 26, so if you haven't read those chapters I suggest you don't read this. I don't want to be responsible for giving away any part of the book that you may not have read.
So, throughout the Joad's and other migrant families' time in California, they have faced a large amount of oppression and hatred. They have been targeted by police for no reason other than that they are migrants. The police, and the state, do not want these people to settle down--they want to rid themselves of them because of a deeply burning hatred they have for the migrants. This is very similar to the ingrained anti-blackness we see in our society today, and though some may say other people of color cannot harbor anti-black feelings, that would be false. This shows that this is an issue deeply ingrained in all of society, not just the racial "elite."
However, there is one major difference between the migrant people and black people--the black community formed the Back Lives Matter (BLM) movement to raise awareness to the hatred. I thought the following quote really showed, in essence, why BLM was created. "Repression only works to strengthen and knit the repressed," (Steinbeck, 1939, p. 161). This is what BLM did after the death, and posthumous trial of Trayvon Martin--they banded together. The black community was faced with adversity, and they worked together to raise awareness for their cause.
"...you see how how quick a deputy sheriff shoves you along...some says [they shove us along because] if we set in one place we'd organize," (Steinbeck, 1939, p. 165). This is what the government in the novel was trying to avoid. They did not want people banded together, because together is when people's voices are heard. That is what Casy was trying to explain to Tom, in chapter 26. When they gave Casy/inmates bad food in jail, "One fell started yellin', an' nothin' happened....well, sir, then we all got to yellin'....Then somepin happened! They come a-runnin', and they give us some other stuff to eat," (Steinbeck, 1939, p. 262). Here, it's showing how if unified, people will be able to make change. They will be able to speak up--they will have strength.
However, even though the black community stood together, hundreds of black people are still killed at the hands of cops and vigilantes each year. They are wrongfully beaten and convicted--the problem isn't being solved, people are being silenced. "...only means to destroy revolt were considered, while the causes of revolt went on," (Steinbeck, 1939, p. 161). That's exactly what happened with the migrants. Nothing was done to help them, they were just silenced while the problem perpetuated and grew bigger.
In the end, this shows that coming together, and fighting for the same cause gives people a voice--gives people strength. That's what BLM is doing. They are coming together after being treated much like the migrant people in Grapes of Wrath. They're wrongfully convicted and being beaten for no apparent reason; however, the only difference is the black community was able to form BLM, while the migrants stayed separated. Overall, these both these people want one thing--liberation from oppression.
So, throughout the Joad's and other migrant families' time in California, they have faced a large amount of oppression and hatred. They have been targeted by police for no reason other than that they are migrants. The police, and the state, do not want these people to settle down--they want to rid themselves of them because of a deeply burning hatred they have for the migrants. This is very similar to the ingrained anti-blackness we see in our society today, and though some may say other people of color cannot harbor anti-black feelings, that would be false. This shows that this is an issue deeply ingrained in all of society, not just the racial "elite."
However, there is one major difference between the migrant people and black people--the black community formed the Back Lives Matter (BLM) movement to raise awareness to the hatred. I thought the following quote really showed, in essence, why BLM was created. "Repression only works to strengthen and knit the repressed," (Steinbeck, 1939, p. 161). This is what BLM did after the death, and posthumous trial of Trayvon Martin--they banded together. The black community was faced with adversity, and they worked together to raise awareness for their cause.
"...you see how how quick a deputy sheriff shoves you along...some says [they shove us along because] if we set in one place we'd organize," (Steinbeck, 1939, p. 165). This is what the government in the novel was trying to avoid. They did not want people banded together, because together is when people's voices are heard. That is what Casy was trying to explain to Tom, in chapter 26. When they gave Casy/inmates bad food in jail, "One fell started yellin', an' nothin' happened....well, sir, then we all got to yellin'....Then somepin happened! They come a-runnin', and they give us some other stuff to eat," (Steinbeck, 1939, p. 262). Here, it's showing how if unified, people will be able to make change. They will be able to speak up--they will have strength.
However, even though the black community stood together, hundreds of black people are still killed at the hands of cops and vigilantes each year. They are wrongfully beaten and convicted--the problem isn't being solved, people are being silenced. "...only means to destroy revolt were considered, while the causes of revolt went on," (Steinbeck, 1939, p. 161). That's exactly what happened with the migrants. Nothing was done to help them, they were just silenced while the problem perpetuated and grew bigger.
In the end, this shows that coming together, and fighting for the same cause gives people a voice--gives people strength. That's what BLM is doing. They are coming together after being treated much like the migrant people in Grapes of Wrath. They're wrongfully convicted and being beaten for no apparent reason; however, the only difference is the black community was able to form BLM, while the migrants stayed separated. Overall, these both these people want one thing--liberation from oppression.
Friday, July 22, 2016
Chapter 13 The Death of the Family Dog
While the Joad's dog was exploring the road, it tragically gets run over by a car. The death of the dog foreshadows how the road to California will not be smooth and the family will face tragedy. The death of the dog also hints to how the family will lose people and items on the road to California. The dog's death also shows how no matter what tragedy the family faces on the road to California they will stay strong and keep moving.
" I'm sorry, folks.... A dog jus' last no time near a highway.... I had three dogs run over a year. Don't keep none, no more.... Don't you folks worry none about it.... I'll take care of 'im.... Bury 'im out in the cornfield" (Steinbeck, 1939, p.131). This quote shows how the service man tried to comfort the family after their dog's death and told them he would bury their dog. This act by the service man shows that no matter how tough the road to California gets there will always be people who help the Joads. The car who ran over the dog not stopping to make sure everything was okay for the family, also foreshadows how there will be times when the family struggles and no one stops to helps them.
If you have any thoughts on what the death of the family dog foreshadowed, please leave a comment down below?
" I'm sorry, folks.... A dog jus' last no time near a highway.... I had three dogs run over a year. Don't keep none, no more.... Don't you folks worry none about it.... I'll take care of 'im.... Bury 'im out in the cornfield" (Steinbeck, 1939, p.131). This quote shows how the service man tried to comfort the family after their dog's death and told them he would bury their dog. This act by the service man shows that no matter how tough the road to California gets there will always be people who help the Joads. The car who ran over the dog not stopping to make sure everything was okay for the family, also foreshadows how there will be times when the family struggles and no one stops to helps them.
If you have any thoughts on what the death of the family dog foreshadowed, please leave a comment down below?
Monday, July 18, 2016
Chapter 10
What makes the Joad family so sympathetic is that although they are traveling to California and are scared, they remain optimistic and enthusiastic. We can all relate to this in some way or another. When venturing into the unknown, we all become frightened and at a certain point want to back out, such as Grampa in this chapter. However, we push forward whether it be through our own will or through force because the idea of challenging oneself or traversing unknown territory incites a form of excitement even if it is terrifying.
Please comment down below. I would really love to know what you guys think makes this family sympathetic or if you simply agree or disagree.
Please comment down below. I would really love to know what you guys think makes this family sympathetic or if you simply agree or disagree.
Thursday, July 14, 2016
Chapter Twelve: Faith in Humanity
This chapter provides a preview of the Joads journey. Highway 66 stretches across the Mississippi and Bakersfield, California and since it is the main road for thousands of migrants, the Joads are most likely to encounter other families who are with creaky cars. Also, there are car salesmen and mechanics who try to rip them off and tell them they’re silly for coming to California because no opportunities will be given to them. “Well, try to get some freedom to do. Fella says you’re jus’ as free as you got jack to pay for it,” (Steinbeck, 1939, pg.120). This quote is saying that the farmers freedom do not count for much in California and that as long as their in America, the chances of them having a better life will stay as low as they were before. All these problems foreshadow what the Joads will face later on in the story and the random acts of kindness from strangers makes others have faith and courage to continue. It reinforces faith in humanity.
Wednesday, July 13, 2016
Chapter 11: Nature Reconquering
So chapter 11 has some passages that I really enjoyed; so this blog is going to be me just sharing them with you and explaining why I enjoyed them, or thought they were interesting/important.
"The cats crept through teh open doors and walked mewing through teh empty rooms. And they went back to the fields and were wild cats from then on, hunting gophers and field mice, and sleeping in ditches in the daytime," (Steinbeck, 1939, p. 78). So, in this quote we see a cat becoming once again wild. I think this signifies a rebirth of the domesticated animals. They reverted back to their natural selves in hopes of surviving; they had to make changes to their life style in order to survive. It is saying that when things change we must adapt. So the Joads will have to adapt to their new environment, by making changes to how they live their lives.
"The weeds sprang up in front of the doorstep, where they had not been allowed, and grass grew up through the porch boards," (Steinbeck, 1939, p.78). So in this quote the weeds are growing where they weren't allowed. They are reconquering what was once theirs. I liked how it was nature that drove away the tenants, and now it was nature taking back what the tenants had taken from it. It's sort of showing how strong nature is, and I really enjoyed that quote.
"The houses were vacant, and a vacant house falls apart quickly. Splits started up the sheathing from the rusted nails. A dust settled the floors....and on windy nights the doors banged, and ragged curtains fluttered in the broken windows," (Steinbeck, 1939, p. 78). This creates a very eerie mood. It's a decrepit house, in the night, that's creaking and billowing. I really liked the image this painted of the rundown houses, and it really just showed the toll that nature took on them.
I think a major part of this chapter was detailing nature and the power it has--how easily adaptable the creatures are, and how easily the environment can take back what was stolen from it.
Do you guys have any other passages you enjoyed from this chapter, or any differing ideas as to what these passages meant? Please comment down below!
"The cats crept through teh open doors and walked mewing through teh empty rooms. And they went back to the fields and were wild cats from then on, hunting gophers and field mice, and sleeping in ditches in the daytime," (Steinbeck, 1939, p. 78). So, in this quote we see a cat becoming once again wild. I think this signifies a rebirth of the domesticated animals. They reverted back to their natural selves in hopes of surviving; they had to make changes to their life style in order to survive. It is saying that when things change we must adapt. So the Joads will have to adapt to their new environment, by making changes to how they live their lives.
"The weeds sprang up in front of the doorstep, where they had not been allowed, and grass grew up through the porch boards," (Steinbeck, 1939, p.78). So in this quote the weeds are growing where they weren't allowed. They are reconquering what was once theirs. I liked how it was nature that drove away the tenants, and now it was nature taking back what the tenants had taken from it. It's sort of showing how strong nature is, and I really enjoyed that quote.
"The houses were vacant, and a vacant house falls apart quickly. Splits started up the sheathing from the rusted nails. A dust settled the floors....and on windy nights the doors banged, and ragged curtains fluttered in the broken windows," (Steinbeck, 1939, p. 78). This creates a very eerie mood. It's a decrepit house, in the night, that's creaking and billowing. I really liked the image this painted of the rundown houses, and it really just showed the toll that nature took on them.
I think a major part of this chapter was detailing nature and the power it has--how easily adaptable the creatures are, and how easily the environment can take back what was stolen from it.
Do you guys have any other passages you enjoyed from this chapter, or any differing ideas as to what these passages meant? Please comment down below!
Chapter 2 : The Lonesome Trucker
Chapter 2 begins near a roadside restaurant where the main character, Joad, is introduced, clean cut, and straight from prison. Joad catches sight of an Oklahoma transport truck and asks for a ride ignoring the sticker on the truck that says “No riders”. After being rejected by the driver, Joad quickly manipulates the driver to believe that he is being controlled by a corporation. The truck driver agrees to giving Joad a ride. In the truck, the driver examines Joad, questioning him and bickering on about past encounters he has had with other people. The drivers persistent need for conversation leads me to believe he is desperate for interaction, especially because truck drivers are constantly on the road alone. In addition, I believe the mention of bugs in chapter 2 has a connection to human struggle. For instance, the flies stuck on the screen of the restaurant door desperately trying to escape may represent farmers and the obstacle they face with their inability to grow crops.
Chapter 1 : Unification Through False Hope
The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck takes place on the arid landscape of 1930’s Oklahoma, where a severe drought is absorbing both the vitality of the crops and its people. The long lasting drought and intense heat of the sun dramatically affected the spread of greenery. In the heat, the soil is is constantly pounded by plows, causing dirt to be carried off the ground and into the air. The lifted dirt then becomes a tornado of dust which consumes the Oklahoma stretch entirely. People living in these dusts must endure the hardship of watching their only form of income wither away and die. In this chapter, Steinbeck exemplifies unity in family. For example, the man of the house must stay strong in order to give the family hope, even though internally, he does not know what to do once all their crops are gone. As a result, the women know that things will be alright as long as their man is not ready to give up. Together, the families of the dust bowl must remain faithful in each other in order to survive in such dire conditions.
Chapter 10 Note: Ma's Haven and The man who can't be moved
Quote/passage: "Yes, that's a good way. But I like to think how nice it's gonna be, maybe, in California . Never cold. An ' fruit ever'place, an' people just bein' in the nicest places, little white houses in among the orange trees. " ( Steinbeck, 1939, p. 91).
This quote from Ma in chapter shows how she really looks up to California providing the jobs and security they need. She likes to think that California will save the family from the state they are in. Ma sees California as the family's haven.Ma does not know what will occur on their journey to California, so she can only hope that California is good. Even after Tom tells Ma about how Fella from California told him that many folks in California are looking for work, Ma does not want to believe him. She thinks that the people would not send out brochures if there was not enough work. The whole family is pretty much looking up to California. They cannot stay in Oklahoma anymore. They want a nice place where they can work and live comfortable lives.
Later in this Chapter Grampa refuses to go California. "I ain't sayin' for you to stay.... You go right along Me- I'm stayin'. I give her a goin'-over all night mos'ly. This here's my country. I b'long here. An' I don't give a goddamn if they's orange an' grapes crowdin' a fella outa bed even... I ain't a-goin" (Steinbeck, 1939, p. 111). This quote shows how Grampa does not want to leave his home. He feels he belongs in Oklahoma, whether there is jobs in Oklahoma or not. Grampa has been in Oklahoma his whole life, and while California sounds nice, he does not want to leave the country where his memories are. This event is deep. Muley and Grampa are alike. They both do not want to leave their lives in the country behind them, even if it means letting go of their loved ones.
If you have any thoughts on this chapter, please leave a comment below.
This quote from Ma in chapter shows how she really looks up to California providing the jobs and security they need. She likes to think that California will save the family from the state they are in. Ma sees California as the family's haven.Ma does not know what will occur on their journey to California, so she can only hope that California is good. Even after Tom tells Ma about how Fella from California told him that many folks in California are looking for work, Ma does not want to believe him. She thinks that the people would not send out brochures if there was not enough work. The whole family is pretty much looking up to California. They cannot stay in Oklahoma anymore. They want a nice place where they can work and live comfortable lives.
Later in this Chapter Grampa refuses to go California. "I ain't sayin' for you to stay.... You go right along Me- I'm stayin'. I give her a goin'-over all night mos'ly. This here's my country. I b'long here. An' I don't give a goddamn if they's orange an' grapes crowdin' a fella outa bed even... I ain't a-goin" (Steinbeck, 1939, p. 111). This quote shows how Grampa does not want to leave his home. He feels he belongs in Oklahoma, whether there is jobs in Oklahoma or not. Grampa has been in Oklahoma his whole life, and while California sounds nice, he does not want to leave the country where his memories are. This event is deep. Muley and Grampa are alike. They both do not want to leave their lives in the country behind them, even if it means letting go of their loved ones.
If you have any thoughts on this chapter, please leave a comment below.
Friday, July 8, 2016
Chapter 5: Fingers and Robot
So, this is really backtracking a lot, and in the days to come I will blog about later chapters, but I just wanted to share some passages that I really enjoyed from Chapter 5.
"Soft Fingers began to tap the sill of the car window, and hard fingers tightened on the restless drawing stick," (Steinbeck, 1939, p. 24). I enjoyed this quote because it showed the uneasiness on both sides, that of the tenants, and of the owners/the owner's workers. They were both nervous about different things, yet they both revolved around the land. The tenants, on one hand, were scared because they'd have no place to go; on the other hand, the owners were scared because they felt like bad people--they were going against their morality. They wanted to be good people, but in doing their job they were forced to evict helpless tenants from the lands they worked on for generations. I also liked the fact that it showed how different their social classes were through the fingers. The tenants had hard, calloused fingers, while the owners had soft, supple fingers because of the lack of physical work. I enjoyed the fact that even though these people were of different social classes and were worried about different things, they were both still worried because of the land and the people on it.
The next passage I enjoyed is as follows. "The man sitting in the iron seat did not look like a man; gloved, goggled, rubber dust mask over nose and mouth, he was part of the Monster, a robot in the seat," (Steinbeck, 1939, p. 26). This quote I enjoyed because it was depicting the driver as non-human. He was a "robot." It was interesting, because I think since the tractor was destroying the homes of people, it was saying that anybody who'd purposefully do this isn't "good"--isn't human. This person had such little regard for human life, that he couldn't be sentient, he couldn't have feelings or emotions--he wasn't alive. He was a robot--a Pawn used by the corporations; he was being manipulated through money. He was giving up his humanity for three dollars a day.
If you had any passages or quotes you enjoyed please share them with me!
"Soft Fingers began to tap the sill of the car window, and hard fingers tightened on the restless drawing stick," (Steinbeck, 1939, p. 24). I enjoyed this quote because it showed the uneasiness on both sides, that of the tenants, and of the owners/the owner's workers. They were both nervous about different things, yet they both revolved around the land. The tenants, on one hand, were scared because they'd have no place to go; on the other hand, the owners were scared because they felt like bad people--they were going against their morality. They wanted to be good people, but in doing their job they were forced to evict helpless tenants from the lands they worked on for generations. I also liked the fact that it showed how different their social classes were through the fingers. The tenants had hard, calloused fingers, while the owners had soft, supple fingers because of the lack of physical work. I enjoyed the fact that even though these people were of different social classes and were worried about different things, they were both still worried because of the land and the people on it.
The next passage I enjoyed is as follows. "The man sitting in the iron seat did not look like a man; gloved, goggled, rubber dust mask over nose and mouth, he was part of the Monster, a robot in the seat," (Steinbeck, 1939, p. 26). This quote I enjoyed because it was depicting the driver as non-human. He was a "robot." It was interesting, because I think since the tractor was destroying the homes of people, it was saying that anybody who'd purposefully do this isn't "good"--isn't human. This person had such little regard for human life, that he couldn't be sentient, he couldn't have feelings or emotions--he wasn't alive. He was a robot--a Pawn used by the corporations; he was being manipulated through money. He was giving up his humanity for three dollars a day.
If you had any passages or quotes you enjoyed please share them with me!
Tuesday, July 5, 2016
Chapter 9 The Contradiction of Burning the Past
Passage "How can we live without our lives? How will we know it's us without our past? No. Leave it. Burn it ."
This passage is contradictory because the people are wondering how they can live without their past, yet they come to the conclusion of burning the past. They cannot hold on to their old lives, by burning or destroying their memories from the past. I found this passage interesting because if someone lets go of their past by trying to destroying or burning all memories from it, they will not be completely free from the past. I feel that we must accept the past and acknowledge it before moving on. If someone wants to flip the chapter in their lives, they should reflect and learn from past before letting it go.If you have any thoughts on this passage, feel free to comment.
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