Questions and Answers
Where have the Joads now set up camp?
They're now in a boxcar at the cotton fields, sharing the space with the Wainrights.
How is the Joad family doing when picking cotton?
They are able to have meat every day, and they even drive to Tulare and buy a stove and overalls for everyone.
What does Ma buy from the store?
She is able to buy anything she likes (meat, beef, milk).
How does Rose of Sharon react when she sees the family go back from the store?
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What is the reality of the cotton picking place?
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What secret is let out because of Ruthie?
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What happened to Ruthie?
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What characterized Ma's moving?
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When he's in hiding, how does Tom react to Ma's coming?
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What does Ma think Tom should do?
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What has Tom been thinking about while in the wild?
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What does Ma bump into when she comes up?
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Who talks to Ma on her way back to the boxcars?
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What news does Al bring to the family?
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How does Rose of Sharon react to the news?
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What happens in the morning?
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What is it like working on the small cotton farm?
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What happened after they finished working?
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What do Miss Wainwright and Ma do to help Rose of Sharon?
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What do the pickers do to balance the crooked scale?
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What is the pickers' concern?
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What are the secret rules in the cotton picking land?
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What does the contractor like to do before getting the land?
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How does a family work for money?
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What does the contractor need from the pickers before picking cotton?
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Study Notes
Joad Family's Situation
- The Joads set up camp in a boxcar at the cotton fields, sharing with the Wainrights.
- The family enjoys daily meat meals and purchases a stove and overalls after finding work in cotton picking.
Family Dynamics and Challenges
- Ma is able to buy various items, including meat and milk, and allows Ruthie to buy Cracker Jack after demonstrating frugality.
- Rose of Sharon is desperate for milk, illustrating her need for sustenance.
Competition and Secrets
- Intense competition exists among cotton pickers for the best picking spots.
- Ruthie brags about her brother's criminal past, leading to complications when she gets beaten up, highlighting her vulnerability.
Ma's Resilience and Family Guidance
- Ma navigates the challenges cautiously, embodying the struggle of separation from civil life while awaiting Tom’s return.
- Tom, in hiding, fears that his family may face repercussions if seen together and compares his life to that of a hunted animal.
Tom’s Aspirations
- Tom reflects on Casy's ideas about worker unity and envisions establishing a cooperative government camp for cotton pickers.
Ma's Community Engagement
- Ma learns about gossip regarding Al and Aggie, signifying the intricate social relationships within the community.
- A small-farm owner hires the family, offering 90 cents for cotton picking, demonstrating the dependence on small-scale agriculture.
Al and Aggie's Decision
- Al announces his desire to marry Aggie, prompting celebrations among the family, represented through shared meals.
- Rose of Sharon feels isolated during the celebration as she struggles with her emotional state.
Work Conditions in Cotton Fields
- The morning begins early as the family heads to a small cotton farm, facing a rush of pickers.
- Competition leads to small land being fully picked by 11 a.m., emphasizing the urgency in gathering cotton.
Adverse Weather and Health Concerns
- Heavy rain disrupts the pickers, causing challenges in finding shelter and warmth, especially for Rose of Sharon.
- Ma organizes efforts to keep the family warm and take care of Rose of Sharon, showing community support.
Economic Exploitation Among Pickers
- Pickers employ deceptive practices like adding weight to their bags to counteract unfair scales.
- Concerns arise about the introduction of machinery that threatens their livelihoods.
Contractor Practices
- Contractors prefer renting land due to cotton's detrimental effects on soil.
- Pickers must purchase bags to work, creating a cycle of dependency and economic strain on laborers.
Children's Role in Labor
- Children contribute to the family's income by picking cotton, indicating the desperate need for financial support.
- The arrangements force families into a collective effort to survive in harsh economic conditions.
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Description
Explore the struggles and dynamics of the Joad family as they navigate life in the cotton fields. This quiz delves into themes of resilience, competition, and family bonds, highlighting the challenges they face during the Great Depression. Test your understanding of the characters and their experiences during this tumultuous time.
