Grapes of Wrath Ch. 1-15 Review

Chapter 1 Summary

• Oklahoma faces severe drought and dust, damaging cornfields.
• Mid-June storms bring no rain, worsening conditions.
• People cover their faces and eyes from the dust, indicative of the Dust Bowl.
• Sense of resilience among men observed as families await their reactions.
• Events highlight the Great Migration to California during the 1930s.

Land Devastation

• Drought and dust characterize the landscape, leading to despair.

Male Strength and Female Dependence

• Women's relief at men's hardened resolve showcases reliance on male strength for hope.
• Emphasizes the theme of women's dependence on men in times of crisis.

Literary Devices

• Simile: "In the morning, dusk hung like fog."
• Personification: "The wind cried and whimpered over fallen corn."

Chapter 2 Summary

• Introduction of Tom Joad hitchhiking after his release from prison for homicide.
• Encounter with a truck driver who initially refuses him a ride.
• Tom manipulates social perceptions by shaming the driver into giving him a lift.

Alliteration

• Examples include "transport truck" and "roadside restaurant."

Tom's Characterization

• Surly nature attributed to his background of violence and recent imprisonment.

Chapter 3 Summary

• A turtle crossing the road serves as a metaphor for perseverance amidst adversity.
• Symbolic of the Joad family's struggle against the harsh external environment.

Theme of Persistence

• The struggle of the turtle parallels the Joads, illustrating determination.

Chapter 4 Summary

• Tom's journey home leads him to meet Jim Casy, a former preacher who challenges traditional beliefs.
• Casy discusses the interconnectedness of humanity, departing from his preaching past.

Joad Family Situation

• Discovering their family home deserted emphasizes the theme of displacement.

Chapter 5 Summary

• Sharecroppers are forced off land due to mechanization and corporate greed.
• Tractors symbolize the impersonal nature of economic change, creating man vs. machine conflict.

Bank Comparison

• Banks are depicted as monsters, emphasizing the dehumanizing force of capitalism.

Chapter 6 Summary

• Tom and Casy find their family home abandoned, reinforcing feelings of loss within the community.
• Muley Graves' refusal to leave contrasts with others who have fled, showcasing attachment to land.

Philosophical Musings

• Tom reflects on the arbitrary nature of justice and the human need for meaning.

Chapter 7 Summary

• Farmers struggle to sell belongings and are manipulated by dishonest salesmen amid their desperation for transportation.

Exploitation Reflection

• The chapter critiques the exploitation of vulnerable farmers during their migration.

Chapter 8 Summary

• Tom is joyfully reunited with family at Uncle John’s house.
• Casy’s evolving philosophy centers on love and brotherhood as sacred.

Uncle John’s Guilt

• Uncle John blames himself for his wife’s death, reflecting the weight of personal tragedy.

Chapter 9 Summary

• Tenants sift through possessions, representing both physical loss and emotional pain in the face of forced migration.

Literary Reflection

• The metaphor of "bitterness" highlights the long-term consequences of their dispossession.

Chapter 10 Summary

• The family readies to leave but faces resistance from Grandpa, creating tension within the family unit.
• Ma’s protective instincts and practical concerns reveal her role as the family’s emotional anchor.

Casy's Role

• Casy’s inclusion in the Joad household underscores the evolving family dynamic as they prepare for the journey ahead.### Chapter 10 Definition
• Connection to the land is a crucial theme; the protagonist desires to remain on land they have inhabited all their life.

Chapter 11 Summary

• Abandoned homes left by tenant farmers show signs of decay, illustrating emptiness and isolation.
• Cats' stealthy movement symbolizes disruption, mirroring tractors disturbing farmland.

Contrast Between Land Care

• Land lived on is nurtured with care and attention, prioritizing its health and appearance.
• Land farmed by absent tractor drivers lacks emotional connection and proper care, highlighting indifference.

Chapter 12 Summary

• Highway 66 filled with migrant families heading to California, facing skepticism from gas station merchants regarding opportunities.
• Families are exploited when buying car parts, showcasing desperation.
• A narrative of redemption unfolds as a poor family offers a ride to another struggling family of twelve.

Chapter 13 Summary

• The Joad family journeys along Route 66, expressing apprehension about California's reality.
• Ma prioritizes living in the present over worrying about potential disappointments.
• Encounters with a gas station owner reveal the struggles of families seeking help.
• Grampa's declining health and eventual death from a stroke emphasize the family's emotional turmoil.
• The Joads hold a funeral for Grampa, providing a glimpse into their values and close-knit bonds.
• The Wilson family joins the Joads, highlighting solidarity among migrant groups.

Ma's Perspective on Doubts

• Ma emphasizes that worrying about the future is fruitless; she chooses to live in the now.

The Joads' Condition

• The family is overwhelmed by the stress of leaving Oklahoma, coupled with Grampa's illness.

Tom's Views on the Fat Man

• Tom criticizes the fat man for lacking understanding of the migrants’ plight, seeing him as a passive observer who complains without acting.

Tom's Kindness Toward the Fat Man

• Realizing their shared struggles, Tom softens his attitude and apologizes for his earlier frustration.

Casy's Gila Monster Metaphor

• The Gila monster symbolizes the stubbornness of banks and corporations, suggesting that they persistently harm people's lives even when faced with opposition.

Rose of Sharon and Connie's Aspirations

• Rose of Sharon is deeply protective of her unborn child, dreaming of a stable life away from farming.
• Connie aspires for a better future through education and stable employment.

Rose of Sharon's Realizations

• Witnessing the death of a dog heightens her fears for her child's safety, initiating a deeper understanding of motherhood's challenges.

Grampa's Death and Burial

• Grampa’s stroke marks the family's loss, leading them to bury him with care to avoid misunderstanding about his death.

Tom's Irony on Government Investigations

• Tom notes the government’s focus on solving murders contrasts sharply with its neglect of helping the living in need.

Casy on Grampa's Connection to the Farm

• Casy suggests that Grampa's life essence faded when he left the farm, underscoring the land's significance in his identity.

Community Among Migrants

• The Joads and the Wilsons, though not related by blood, exemplify the loyalty and mutual support among migrant workers during hardships.

Mrs. Wilson's Fears and Foreshadowing

• Mrs. Wilson’s sickness raises concerns about being a burden, hinting at future challenges for the group.

Chapter 14 Summary

• Increasing numbers of migrant farmers lead to anxiety among Western landowners about resource sustainability.
• Steinbeck portrays a message advocating for collective power among workers.

Landowners' Fears

• Landowners fear a potential uprising from the gathering farmers due to their growing numbers and unity.

Chapter 15 Summary

• Route 66 features small diners, with the character Mae exemplifying prejudice against impoverished migrants.
• A kind act by Mae illustrates the theme of generosity among the poor as she sells bread below its value.

Perspectives on Wealth

• Wealthy characters show indifference to migrant hardships, highlighting societal disconnect between rich and poor.

Al's Characterization

• Al demonstrates genuine compassion, prioritizing assistance to the needy over business profit.

Truck Drivers' Generosity

• The sizable tip left by truck drivers reflects their appreciation for Mae and Al's kindness towards struggling travelers.