The Grapes of Wrath Chapter Summaries

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Questions and Answers

What factor contributed to the Oklahoma cornfields' condition in Chapter 1?

Drought and dust

What crime did Tom Joad commit prior to Chapter 2?

Manslaughter

What animal is mentioned on the highway in Chapter 3?

Turtle

Who does Tom Joad meet in Chapter 4?

Jim Casy Signup and view all the answers

In Chapter 5, what do landowners demand from the tenant farmers?

To leave Signup and view all the answers

What do Tom and Casy discover about the Joad homestead in Chapter 6?

It is strangely untouched except for a part of the farmhouse that is crushed. Signup and view all the answers

What dishonest practices do used-car salesmen engage in during the westward journey in Chapter 7?

They sell broken-down vehicles and fill engines with sawdust to hide faults. Signup and view all the answers

What tragic event does Tom Joad recount about Uncle John in Chapter 8?

Uncle John dismissed his wife's stomach ache and she died. Signup and view all the answers

How do tenant farmers prepare for their journey to California in Chapter 9?

They pawn their possessions. Signup and view all the answers

What does Ma Joad worry about regarding California in Chapter 10?

She worries that it will not live up to their expectations. Signup and view all the answers

What happens to Grampa during the journey in Chapter 13?

He suffers a stroke and dies. Signup and view all the answers

What does the narrator say about the western residents' perception of the migrant farmers in Chapter 14?

They fear the migrants will unite and become strong enough to revolt. Signup and view all the answers

What does Mae do for a tattered man in Chapter 15?

She eventually gives him some bread. Signup and view all the answers

What routine do the Joads establish while traveling in Chapter 16?

The highway becomes their home and movement their medium of expression. Signup and view all the answers

What warning do the Joads receive from a father and son they meet in Chapter 18?

They caution about hostility from people in California who call them 'Okies.' Signup and view all the answers

How do the wealthy farmers in California react to the influx of migrants in Chapter 19?

They resent the Okies and defend their land with low wages for labor. Signup and view all the answers

What do Ma and Pa Joad do with Granma's body in Chapter 20?

They leave it in a coroner's office. Signup and view all the answers

What does Floyd Knowles tell Tom to do when he encounters police?

Act 'bull-simple' and be incoherent. Signup and view all the answers

What happens to men who try to organize against the landowners?

They are put on a blacklist. Signup and view all the answers

Casy volunteers to take the blame for the scuffle.

True Signup and view all the answers

What does Connie express to Rose of Sharon about their decision to leave Oklahoma?

He says they should have stayed in Oklahoma. Signup and view all the answers

What is the reaction of the locals to the arrival of 'Okies' in the nearby town?

They threaten them with violence. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the Weedpatch camp that the Joads discover?

It is a government-sponsored facility where migrants govern themselves. Signup and view all the answers

What is the payment rate set by Mr. Thomas for laborers?

Twenty-five cents an hour. Signup and view all the answers

The migrants find that they are paid _____ for picking peaches.

five cents a box. Signup and view all the answers

Tom takes responsibility for Casy's murder of the deputy.

False Signup and view all the answers

Match the chapters with their definitions:

Chapter 21 = The hostility of locals towards 'Okies' and the desperation of migrants. Chapter 22 = The Joads discover the self-governing Weedpatch camp. Chapter 23 = Migrants use music and stories for temporary escapism. Chapter 24 = A planned riot by the Farmers' Association against the camp. Signup and view all the answers

What happens to Tom as he tries to find work after the events in the peach farm?

He is injured and remains hidden. Signup and view all the answers

What does Ma Joad do when Ruthie boasts about Tom's actions?

She warns Tom to leave. Signup and view all the answers

The Joads must seek dry ground after the _____ floods their boxcar.

rain. Signup and view all the answers

Rose of Sharon suckles a starving man at the end of the storm.

True Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Chapter 1

Drought and dust lead to shriveled Oklahoma cornfields, leaving farmers uncertain about their survival.
Families face poverty, relying on men's determination to maintain their livelihoods.

Chapter 2

Tom Joad returns after four years in prison for manslaughter, hitching a ride on a forbidden truck.
Learns about "cats," large tractors used to evict poor farmers from their lands.
Stops at the Joad family farm, signaling the start of his journey home.

Chapter 3

A turtle's struggle symbolizes resilience as it crosses the highway, narrowly avoiding destruction.

Chapter 4

Tom meets Jim Casy, a former preacher grappling with the concepts of sin and virtue, ultimately rejecting traditional belief systems.

Chapter 5

Landowners and banks are driven by profit, pushing tenant farmers out through violent evictions led by tractors.
Farmers face conflict but feel powerless against the impersonal banks.

Chapter 6

The Joad homestead appears abandoned but has usable tools, indicating nearby abandonment.
Muley Graves reveals that his family has moved to California for work; he chooses to stay behind.
The group hides from police, highlighting the fear of losing their homes.

Chapter 7

Used-car salesmen exploit departing farmers, selling them unreliable vehicles at inflated prices.
Desperation leads farmers to make poor choices, indicating a lack of knowledge about automobiles.

Chapter 8

Tom reunites with his family at Uncle John's, recounting a tragic story about John's late wife.
Meals symbolize family connections; Casy shares a revelation about the sanctity of mankind.

Chapter 9

Tenant farmers sell most possessions to pay for the journey, lamenting the loss of sentimental items.
Brokers take advantage of farmers, offering extremely low prices amid their dire situation.

Chapter 10

Ma Joad expresses mixed feelings about California, trusting the advertised work prospects.
Grampa Joad's desire to stay behind is dismissed with sleeping medicine, illustrating resistance to change.

Chapter 11

The emptiness of abandoned farms is filled by transient workers, depicting the disconnection of labor from land.
The landscape deteriorates as the human connection to farming fades.

Chapter 12

Many tenant farmers travel along Highway 66, facing vehicle issues and hostility from those they encounter.
Encounters underscore suspicion towards migrants as they struggle for basic needs.

Chapter 13

Al drives the truck, showcasing his automotive skills, while the family experiences urban life for the first time.
Grampa's death brings them together, leading to an improvised burial and a strengthened resolve to continue.

Chapter 14

The flood of migrant farmers causes panic among Westerners fearing their presence will lead to unrest.
Tensions rise as local residents feel threatened by the growing number of displaced families.

Chapter 15

Mae, a waitress, initially refuses to help a struggling man but eventually shows kindness, indicating changing attitudes toward migrants.
The encounter reflects the internal conflict of those who serve and those who struggle.

Chapter 16

Joad and Wilson families bond during their travel, adapting to life on the road.
Conversations reveal the challenges of California's promises and the reality of migrant life.

Chapter 17

Migrant families form temporary communities, establishing rules and support systems amid their shared struggles.
The identity of the farmers shifts from landowners to dispossessed migrants.

Chapter 18

The families arrive in California but face discrimination and hostility from locals viewing them as "Okies."
Noah chooses to stay behind, signaling fragmentation in the family structure.

Chapter 19

Historical context of California's land ownership highlights the exploitation faced by migrant workers.
Wealthy landowners resist the influx of workers, fearing loss of control over labor and wages.

Chapter 20

Ma and Pa Joad leave Granma in a coroner's office due to financial constraints.
Hooverville represents the dire living conditions of displaced families struggling to find work.
Events at Hooverville reflect the systemic challenges faced by laborers and the dangers of organizing for rights.### Departure from the Camp
Pa Joad criticizes Connie, claiming he was always useless, while Rose of Sharon grieves his absence deeply.
Tom Joad forces Uncle John unconscious to fit him onto the truck, highlighting the desperate circumstances of the family.
The Joads leave a note for Connie at the camp store, showing their hope he will return.

Hostility Toward Migrants (Chapter 21)

Migrants face hostility as property owners fear the "flare of want" in their eyes.
Locals form armed groups to intimidate "Okies," emphasizing the divisive social climate.
Large farm owners drive smaller farmers out, exacerbating poverty and hunger among the displaced population.

Weeds and Community (Chapter 22)

The Joads arrive at the Weedpatch camp, a self-governed facility offering better living conditions.
Camp committees maintain grounds, ensuring sanitation and cleanliness.
Tom starts looking for work with Timothy and Wilkie Wallace, illustrating community solidarity.
Mr. Thomas from a nearby ranch reveals the exploitation within the Farmers' Association regarding wages.
Concern arises over the association’s plans to send provocateurs to disrupt the camp.

Culture and Coping Mechanisms (Chapter 23)

While not working, migrants engage in music and storytelling, a means of coping with their struggles.
Alcohol provides temporary distraction, while preachers deliver intense sermons to awaken religious fears.
These activities signify the search for escape and a semblance of community among the migrants.

Camp Dance and Riot Prevention (Chapter 24)

The camp hosts a dance coinciding with the Farmers' Association's plot to incite violence.
Ezra Huston hires men to monitor potential instigators and prevent a riot.
Tom and others confront troublemakers at the dance, reflecting community vigilance.
A storyteller recounts a historical march by striking mountain workers, emphasizing solidarity and resistance.

Agricultural Struggles (Chapter 25)

California spring looks beautiful but masks economic ruin for small farmers against powerful landowners.
Small farmers suffer growing debts as they cannot compete, leading to widespread despair.
Narrative reflects on rising anger and the metaphorical "grapes of wrath" accumulating within the people.

Job Search and Violence (Chapter 26)

The Joads, running low on supplies, are compelled to leave the government camp for work picking peaches.
After finding low wages, they struggle to make ends meet, reflecting migrant hardship.
Tom encounters Jim Casy, who speaks on labor organization, showing the fight for workers' rights.
Tragedy strikes when Tom avenges Casy’s death, prompting concern for his family's safety.

Cotton Field Employment (Chapter 27)

Cotton fields seek workers, but the lack of supplies forces migrants into debt for picking sacks.
Some owners exploit workers by tampering with scales, illustrating systemic injustices in labor.

Living Conditions in Cotton Fields (Chapter 28)

The Joads are allotted a boxcar, sharing it with the Wainwright family and highlighting the communal struggle.
Ma Joad manages to provide small treats for the children, showcasing attempts at normalcy amidst hardship.
Ruthie’s boast about Tom’s actions jeopardizes their safety, prompting Ma to warn him discreetly.

The Impact of Rain (Chapter 29)

Continuous rain halts work, leading to desperation where men resort to begging and stealing for food.
Tension fosters a sense of impending revolt, illustrating the psychological impact of prolonged adversity.

Rose of Sharon's Labor and Compassion (Chapter 30)

Rising waters threaten the boxcar; the family struggles to salvage their dwelling as floods take over.
Rose of Sharon delivers a stillborn child, indicating profound loss amidst survival struggles.
The family encounters another suffering family, leading Rose of Sharon to offer a selfless act of nourishment, embodying human compassion in dire circumstances.

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This quiz covers detailed summaries of the chapters from John Steinbeck's classic novel, 'The Grapes of Wrath'. Each flashcard focuses on key events, themes, and characters to help deepen your understanding of the story. Perfect for study or review, these summaries encapsulate the struggles and resilience of families during the Great Depression.