Podcast
Questions and Answers
What difficulties does Joad's family encounter?
What difficulties does Joad's family encounter?
The family has been eating fried dough, and they have no income. Children and Rose of Sharon are not looking good. Tom only worked on that job for 5 days, and the others don't have jobs. The family might have to move back to Hoovervilles.
What options does the Joad family have?
What options does the Joad family have?
They can go to Maryville to pick fruits, but that is too far; they can also go to Tulare in the north to pick cotton. But none pay well for the workers. They eventually decide to go cotton picking, following Ma's direction.
What strategy does Ma use to get the family motivated?
What strategy does Ma use to get the family motivated?
Ma says if a man cannot provide his family with food, then he has no power to ask around. She uses anger to motivate Pa and thinks Tom does not need any motivation.
What happens to Rose of Sharon?
What happens to Rose of Sharon?
What does Al do before he leaves for Tulare?
What does Al do before he leaves for Tulare?
What does Tom fear will happen in Hoovervilles? What does Jule think is the side-effect of moving frequently?
What does Tom fear will happen in Hoovervilles? What does Jule think is the side-effect of moving frequently?
What does Ruthie tell Mom? How does Winfield respond to it?
What does Ruthie tell Mom? How does Winfield respond to it?
What are Pa and Uncle John arguing about?
What are Pa and Uncle John arguing about?
What obstacles does the Joad family face before leaving?
What obstacles does the Joad family face before leaving?
What are Tom and Al arguing about?
What are Tom and Al arguing about?
What does the Joad family see on their way? What does Ma want?
What does the Joad family see on their way? What does Ma want?
What does Tom bump into while Ma is picturing the future?
What does Tom bump into while Ma is picturing the future?
What information does Tom get when he is pumping the tire?
What information does Tom get when he is pumping the tire?
What does Ma want to get if the men get jobs?
What does Ma want to get if the men get jobs?
What does Tom talk about McAlester?
What does Tom talk about McAlester?
What does the Joad family see when getting close to the orchard?
What does the Joad family see when getting close to the orchard?
What is the Joad family's reaction to the new environment in the orchard?
What is the Joad family's reaction to the new environment in the orchard?
What do they start to do once they get into the orchard?
What do they start to do once they get into the orchard?
What do they earn after picking 20 buckets of peaches?
What do they earn after picking 20 buckets of peaches?
Why don't the children want to go to school?
Why don't the children want to go to school?
What obstacles does Ma meet?
What obstacles does Ma meet?
What does Ma ask for from the cashier in the grocery store?
What does Ma ask for from the cashier in the grocery store?
What are the Joad family up to after finishing work?
What are the Joad family up to after finishing work?
What does Tom do after having dinner?
What does Tom do after having dinner?
Who does Tom meet when he is trespassing the ravine?
Who does Tom meet when he is trespassing the ravine?
What does Casy find out when living in prison? What is his plan for now?
What does Casy find out when living in prison? What is his plan for now?
What does Casy think is the reality of the orchard?
What does Casy think is the reality of the orchard?
What story does Tom tell that corresponds with Casy's idea?
What story does Tom tell that corresponds with Casy's idea?
What are the statuses of the three men in the tent?
What are the statuses of the three men in the tent?
What happens to Jim Casy when they are trying to run away?
What happens to Jim Casy when they are trying to run away?
What happens in the morning?
What happens in the morning?
What is Tom's plan for his family?
What is Tom's plan for his family?
What is Ma's plan for the family?
What is Ma's plan for the family?
What does Rose of Sharon think of Tom's action?
What does Rose of Sharon think of Tom's action?
What happened when Ma is telling Tom what happens at the picking place?
What happened when Ma is telling Tom what happens at the picking place?
What does Ma do when they are having dinner? How does Rose of Sharon react to Winfield's milk?
What does Ma do when they are having dinner? How does Rose of Sharon react to Winfield's milk?
What does Pa say the reality of peach picking today is? What will happen to Tom if he gets found?
What does Pa say the reality of peach picking today is? What will happen to Tom if he gets found?
What does Tom think will be the best solution?
What does Tom think will be the best solution?
What happens when the Joad family eventually tries to run away?
What happens when the Joad family eventually tries to run away?
How does Rose of Sharon react to the Joad family's departure?
How does Rose of Sharon react to the Joad family's departure?
What does Tom think should be the plan for his family to avoid cops?
What does Tom think should be the plan for his family to avoid cops?
What is the family's response to Tom's idea?
What is the family's response to Tom's idea?
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Study Notes
Joad Family Struggles
- The Joad family faces severe food scarcity, relying on fried dough, with no income to sustain them.
- Tom has only worked five days, leaving the family at risk of returning to Hoovervilles, where living conditions are poor.
- Children, especially Rose of Sharon, appear unhealthy due to inadequate nutrition.
Family Decisions and Options
- The family considers moving to Maryville for fruit picking, though the distance poses a challenge.
- Tulare is another option for cotton picking, but wages are not sufficient; ultimately, they choose cotton under Ma's direction.
Ma's Motivation Strategy
- Ma believes a man without food for his family loses power, using this as a motivating factor for Pa.
- She avoids anxiety and instead channels anger to inspire her family, feeling Tom is naturally driven.
Rose of Sharon's Condition
- Rose of Sharon, who is pregnant, struggles with hunger, consuming lime to stave off her cravings.
- Ma gifts her earrings; after piercing her ears, this bond strengthens their relationship.
Al's Departure to Tulare
- Al bids farewell to his girlfriend before leaving for Tulare, promising to return.
- His girlfriend's anger reflects the complexities of relationships amidst their hardships.
Tom and Jule’s Concerns
- Tom fears the potential of killing someone out of uncontrolled anger while in Hoovervilles.
- Jule notes frequent relocations hinder children’s education and suggests forming a union to fight for workers' rights.
Family Dynamics
- Ruthie boasts about Winfield's altercation, reflecting the challenging social dynamics in their environment.
- Pa and Uncle John clash over guilt and financial struggles, showcasing family tensions under pressure.
Leaving Obstacles
- As they prepare to leave, Tom realizes the car's battery is dead, initially blaming Al, but later accepts responsibility.
Tensions Between Tom and Al
- A dispute erupts over coffee when Tom teases Al about relationships, showcasing a mix of frustration and camaraderie.
Observations During Travel
- The family witnesses a rebuilt Hooverville, indicating recurring cycles of displacement and adaptation.
- Ma is determined to secure shelter before inclement weather arrives.
Orchard Experience
- Upon arriving at the orchard, they encounter tensions among workers and learn about unfair labor practices.
- They receive inadequate tools for harvesting, complicating their work process.
Financial Struggles Post-Picking
- After laboring to pick 20 buckets of peaches, the family earns merely a dollar in credit for food, highlighting economic exploitation.
- Children’s reluctance to attend school stems from derogatory labels at school, reflecting social ostracism.
Ma's Resource Challenges
- Ma faces inflated prices while shopping on credit, underscoring their economic vulnerability.
- She struggles to ensure basic necessities for the family, demonstrating her role as a provider.
After Work Tensions
- The men recognize that conflict among workers is exacerbated by police presence, indicating a broader socio-political tension impacting their lives.
Tom’s Risky Decision
- After dinner, Tom goes for a walk, warning about the dangers of seeking isolation, thus showcasing the paranoia present in their lives.
Meeting Casy
- Tom encounters Jim Casy, who reveals insights from prison experiences, including the power of collective action but also the precariousness of workers' rights.
Casy’s Strategy
- They discuss strikes and the importance of solidarity among workers facing harsh conditions, reflective of the era’s labor struggles.
Night of Escalating Tensions
- Following a confrontation, Tom reacts violently, signaling the desperation and moral dilemmas faced by those fighting for survival.
Tom’s Future Plans
- Faced with family loyalty and external threats, Tom plans to escape for safety while Al worries about the burden of family responsibilities.
Ma’s Stance on Family Unity
- Ma is adamant about keeping the family together, opposing any plans that risk separation, revealing her protective instincts in harsh times.
Rose of Sharon’s Perspective
- Rosie's perception of Tom's threats reveals pregnant women’s anxieties about their futures and familial bonds in times of crisis.
Dinner Dynamics
- Ma’s prioritization of Winfield over Rose of Sharon during mealtime highlights the family's struggle with limited resources and prioritizing health.
Reality Check on Labor
- The Joad family’s harsh realities, including witnessing greater competition for dwindling resources, foreshadow deeper economic challenges they will face.
Tom's Plan Against Police Recognition
- Tom’s tactical thinking to avoid police confrontation demonstrates a survival instinct born from their realities as displaced people.
Conclusion of Family Dynamics
- Ma’s concern for Tom's safety mirrors a mother’s instincts to protect her family, culminating in discussions over immediate survival strategies and making precarious living arrangements.
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