Grapes of Wrath Ch. 1-15 Review

Questions and Answers

What are the farmers being forced to give up?

Their personal possessions that cannot fit with them.

What does Ma worry about regarding California?

Ma is worried that California is not as fabulous as everyone is saying.

Why do big businesses print job advertisements if there are no jobs?

To attract more people looking for jobs, allowing them to lower wages.

What condition does Grampa feel about leaving his land?

Grampa wants to stay on the land he has lived on all his life. Signup and view all the answers

What happens to Grampa at the end of Chapter 13?

Grampa dies of a stroke. Signup and view all the answers

What metaphor does Casy use regarding the Gila monster?

Casy compares it to the banks, government, and companies that relentlessly pursue destruction. Signup and view all the answers

What does Ma mean when she says, 'she can only account for what is'?

Ma focuses on living in the present rather than worrying about the future. Signup and view all the answers

What literary term describes the feeling of fear and unease in Mrs. Wilson?

Foreshadowing. Signup and view all the answers

What do large landowners fear?

That farmers will unite. Signup and view all the answers

How do Mae and Al show generosity to a poor family?

Mae sells them bread at a cheaper price. Signup and view all the answers

What is the perception of the rich businessman and his wife towards migrant farmers?

They cannot understand what the migrant families are going through. Signup and view all the answers

What is the summary of chapter 1?

Drought and dust are shriveling the Oklahoma cornfields, with no rain coming. The chapter describes the impact of the Dust Bowl and the resilience of the people. Signup and view all the answers

What is devastating the land?

Drought and dust (the Dust Bowl). Signup and view all the answers

Why are the women relieved when the men's faces become hard and angry?

It shows that the men are still strong, and their anger drives them to continue despite hardships. Signup and view all the answers

What theme is shown through the quote 'women...knew deep in themselves that no misfortune was too great to bear if their men were whole'?

The theme of women's dependence on men. Signup and view all the answers

What are some examples of personification and simile in chapter 1?

Simile: 'In the morning, dusk hung like fog, and the sun was as red as ripe blood.' Personification: 'The wind cried and whimpered over fallen corn.' Signup and view all the answers

What is the summary of chapter 2?

Tom Joad talks to a truck driver at a roadside restaurant, revealing his recent release from prison after committing homicide. Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of alliteration in chapter 2?

Transport truck and roadside restaurant. Signup and view all the answers

Why does the driver agree to give Tom a ride?

The driver doesn’t want to be seen as a bad guy and is influenced by Tom’s words. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Tom Joad appear to be surly?

He killed a man and squashed a bug because it was bothering him. Signup and view all the answers

Where has Tom Joad been for four years and why?

Prison for killing a man in self-defense. Signup and view all the answers

What does the driver mean when he comments on Tom's father's status?

He is surprised that Tom's father, as a cropper, hasn't been forced off the land by tractors. Signup and view all the answers

What is the summary of chapter 3?

A turtle makes its way across the road and faces various hardships, symbolizing the struggle of the Joads. Signup and view all the answers

What seems to be the point of focusing on the turtle crossing the road?

To show the turtle's persistence and its symbolism in relation to the Joads' struggles. Signup and view all the answers

Define theme. Can you find a theme in the turtle vignette?

Persistence. Signup and view all the answers

What is the summary of chapter 4?

Tom Joad walks toward his family's farm, encountering the preacher Jim Casy, who has renounced his faith. Signup and view all the answers

Why did Jim Casy give up being a preacher?

He was questioning his beliefs after engaging in sinful acts. Signup and view all the answers

What is Casy's conclusion about love, the soul, and the Holy Spirit?

All men make up one soul and love comes from collective human bonding. Signup and view all the answers

What is the contrast between Jim and Casy?

Tom is a man of action while Casy primarily talks. Signup and view all the answers

What surprise awaits Casey and Tom as they near the Joads' home?

The house is deserted. Signup and view all the answers

If Casey is a Christ figure, what points to it?

His initials (JC). Signup and view all the answers

What is the summary of chapter 5?

Company representatives inform tenants they must leave as sharecropping is no longer profitable. Signup and view all the answers

What are banks compared to?

Monsters. Signup and view all the answers

What makes it economically desirable for banks to drive farmers off the land?

Using tractors is more economical than keeping tenant farmers, as it covers more land with fewer workers. Signup and view all the answers

What two arguments do the farmers give the owner men?

They and their ancestors were born on the land, and they offer to rotate crops or take a smaller share. Signup and view all the answers

How is the tractor driver described?

He is described as being part of the machine and detached from the land. Signup and view all the answers

Why does the tractor driver do the dirty work for the banks?

He needs to work to provide food for his family. Signup and view all the answers

Who can the farmers fight?

They cannot target one individual; instead, they are helpless against the system. Signup and view all the answers

What is the summary of chapter 6?

Tom and Casy find the Joad house deserted and learn from Muley that the family has been forced off their land. Signup and view all the answers

What conclusion does Tom make when he sees that nothing has been taken from the Joad home?

The neighbors must have deserted their farms too, indicating widespread displacement. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Muley Graves not go with his family to California?

He feels prideful about his land and finds it unfair to leave. Signup and view all the answers

Why didn't Tom's family put up a fight against leaving?

They had no choice as everyone was being forced to leave; fighting would have been futile. Signup and view all the answers

What does Casy refer to when he mentions 'Muley's got a-holt of somepin'?

He is referring to Muley Graves' idea about sharing food. Signup and view all the answers

What philosophical ideas does Tom wonder about regarding killing and prison?

He questions why men search for meaning in actions when events may happen for no reason at all. Signup and view all the answers

How does Willy Freely's opinion about helping others differ from Muley's?

Muley believes Willy is self-centered, caring only for himself and his family. Signup and view all the answers

What is ironic about Tom's reaction to the arrival of men trying to keep people off the land?

Tom is on his own land but has to hide from authorities to avoid being caught for trespassing. Signup and view all the answers

What is Casy thinking about at the end of chapter 6?

He is thinking about how he can help people in need and his own search for identity. Signup and view all the answers

What is the summary of chapter 7?

Farmers attempt to sell their belongings and buy vehicles to move west, being exploited by fast-talking salesmen. Signup and view all the answers

What is the author's purpose in chapter 7?

To illustrate how the Joads are taken advantage of in their plight to purchase a vehicle for their journey. Signup and view all the answers

What do the smaller interchapters represent compared to the larger narrative chapters?

The small interchapters present generalizations and themes, while narrative chapters focus on Tom Joad's journey. Signup and view all the answers

Why do so many people go to California?

California promises jobs, land, and a nice life. Signup and view all the answers

What is the summary of chapter 8?

Casy and Tom visit Uncle John's house, reuniting with family and reflecting on Tom's time in prison. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Uncle John feel guilty?

He feels responsible for his wife's death due to misdiagnosing her illness. Signup and view all the answers

What shows that Ma is a generous person?

Ma invites strangers to join them for breakfast without hesitation. Signup and view all the answers

What is the first concern of both Ma and Pa upon seeing Tom?

They worry he has just escaped from jail, and Ma fears he may have become mean. Signup and view all the answers

What does Casy say is holy?

Casy believes brotherhood is holy, and working together leads to great accomplishments. Signup and view all the answers

What is the summary of chapter 9?

Tenants decide what belongings to take while feeling anxious about leaving everything behind. Signup and view all the answers

What literary term is used in the phrase 'a packet of bitterness to grow in your house and a flower some day'?

This is a metaphor for the destruction caused by junkmen to farmers. Signup and view all the answers

What statement in chapter 9 suggests Steinbeck may be predicting a socialist revolution?

'And someday - the armies of bitterness will all be going the same way.' Signup and view all the answers

What makes the selling off of the farmers' possessions all the more pitiful?

The familial connections to the belongings amplify the emotional impact. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

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.

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Description

This quiz focuses on the key themes and events of chapters 1 through 15 of 'The Grapes of Wrath'. You will explore the impact of drought on the Oklahoma landscape and the emotional toll on the families involved. Test your knowledge on summaries, characters, and significant moments from these chapters.