““The Grapes of Wrath”The Grapes of Wrath”

Discussion notesDiscussion notes

Chapters 1-5Chapters 1-5

Two key characters we’ve met so far: Tom Two key characters we’ve met so far: Tom and Casy. We’ll look at Tom more closely and Casy. We’ll look at Tom more closely later.later.

It should strike you that Casy’s initials are It should strike you that Casy’s initials are J.C.J.C.

He is certainly a Christ-like figure in this He is certainly a Christ-like figure in this book.book.

It’s not just that he is a former preacher It’s not just that he is a former preacher who “went into the hills thinkin,” much as who “went into the hills thinkin,” much as Jesus Christ went into the wilderness. Jesus Christ went into the wilderness.

Chapters 1-5Chapters 1-5

Also consider:Also consider:– Casy rejects the notion of sin: “There ain’t no Casy rejects the notion of sin: “There ain’t no

sin, and there ain’t no virtue. There’s just stuff sin, and there ain’t no virtue. There’s just stuff people do.”people do.”

– His new direction defines the religious impulse His new direction defines the religious impulse as human love: “What’s this call, this as human love: “What’s this call, this sperit?...It’s love.”sperit?...It’s love.”

– This direction also identifies the Holy Spirit as This direction also identifies the Holy Spirit as the human spirit in all mankind: “Maybe all the human spirit in all mankind: “Maybe all men got one big soul ever’body’s a part of.”men got one big soul ever’body’s a part of.”

Chapters 1-5Chapters 1-5 Casy joins the migration not to escape or preach Casy joins the migration not to escape or preach

but to learn from the common human experience.but to learn from the common human experience. What he ultimately learns is that man’s spiritual What he ultimately learns is that man’s spiritual

brotherhood must express itself in social unity.brotherhood must express itself in social unity. It’s a moot point to argue whether the novel It’s a moot point to argue whether the novel

promotes specific Christian values because that promotes specific Christian values because that depends entirely on your definition of what is depends entirely on your definition of what is essentially Christian. essentially Christian.

Suffice it to say that the novel fuels its social Suffice it to say that the novel fuels its social message with religious fervor and sanction.message with religious fervor and sanction.

Literary element refresherLiterary element refresher

Diction involves a writer’s selection of language. Diction involves a writer’s selection of language. Diction may be described as formal or informal, Diction may be described as formal or informal, abstract or concrete, figurative or literal.abstract or concrete, figurative or literal.

Dialect is variation of a given language spoken in Dialect is variation of a given language spoken in a particular place or by a particular group of a particular place or by a particular group of people. A dialect is distinguished by its people. A dialect is distinguished by its vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation. If we’re vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation. If we’re only talking about pronunciation, we usually use only talking about pronunciation, we usually use the term “accent.” the term “accent.”

Dialect is applied most often to regional speech Dialect is applied most often to regional speech patterns, but a dialect may also be defined by patterns, but a dialect may also be defined by other factors, such as social class. other factors, such as social class.

GrapesGrapes dialect dialect

The story is rich in dialect: language is The story is rich in dialect: language is unique to its region due to vocabulary, unique to its region due to vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation.grammar, and pronunciation.

Words and phrases from chapters 1-5 of Words and phrases from chapters 1-5 of WrathWrath::

““drownded,” “idears,” “Sperit,” “figgered” drownded,” “idears,” “Sperit,” “figgered” “piana” “et”“piana” “et”

““You give her a goin’-over”You give her a goin’-over” ““Touched” (crazy)Touched” (crazy)

The Turtle’s ExodusThe Turtle’s Exodus The indomitable life force that The indomitable life force that

drives the turtle, the toughness drives the turtle, the toughness that allows it to survive that allows it to survive predators, the efficiency of predators, the efficiency of nature that uses the turtle to nature that uses the turtle to unwittingly carry seeds and bury unwittingly carry seeds and bury them – all traits characteristic of them – all traits characteristic of the Joads.the Joads.

The Joads, too, will carry their The Joads, too, will carry their house (the truck) with them, house (the truck) with them, survive natural catastrophe, and survive natural catastrophe, and see both kindness and see both kindness and intimidation.intimidation.

They, too, pick up life in one They, too, pick up life in one place and carry it to another.place and carry it to another.

Chapter 4: Tom picks up the Chapter 4: Tom picks up the turtle as a present for his turtle as a present for his younger siblings, talks about younger siblings, talks about turtles with Casy, and eventually turtles with Casy, and eventually releases it. The turtle plods releases it. The turtle plods southwest – just as the Joads southwest – just as the Joads will.will.

Chapters 6-9Chapters 6-9

Chapter 7 is a good example Chapter 7 is a good example of one of the roles of the inter-of one of the roles of the inter-chapters. It adds new voices – chapters. It adds new voices – in this case that of a car in this case that of a car salesman who speaks with the salesman who speaks with the quick pace and phony tone of quick pace and phony tone of a hustler taking advantage of a hustler taking advantage of the desperate farmers.the desperate farmers.

Discussion: Chapters 6-9Discussion: Chapters 6-9

Steinbeck goes to a lot Steinbeck goes to a lot of trouble to describe of trouble to describe each character well each character well before any real action before any real action takes place. Thus, we takes place. Thus, we can assume that it is can assume that it is important to know important to know much detail about each much detail about each of the Joads (and a few of the Joads (and a few others). This will help others). This will help us understand how us understand how they function as a they function as a family unit.family unit.

Discussion: chapters 6-9Discussion: chapters 6-9

Jim Casy: ReviewJim Casy: Review– Casy rejects the notion Casy rejects the notion

of sin: “There ain’t no of sin: “There ain’t no sin, and there ain’t no sin, and there ain’t no virtue. There’s just stuff virtue. There’s just stuff people do.”people do.”

– ““Maybe all men got one Maybe all men got one big soul ever’body’s a big soul ever’body’s a part of.”part of.”

– Casy is a thinker in the Casy is a thinker in the first half of the novel; a first half of the novel; a man of action in the man of action in the second half.second half.

Discussion: Chapters 6-9Discussion: Chapters 6-9

Tom JoadTom Joad– Main protagonist of the Main protagonist of the

novel; strong, novel; strong, responsible, doesn’t like responsible, doesn’t like being pushed around.being pushed around.

– On probation from state On probation from state prison; limits his prison; limits his actions.actions.

– Viewpoint transforms Viewpoint transforms from concern for his from concern for his immediate family to immediate family to concern for the whole concern for the whole migrant society.migrant society.

Discussion: Chapters 6-9Discussion: Chapters 6-9 Muley: Muley:

– Refuses to leave the land; Refuses to leave the land; lives like an animal; has lives like an animal; has been hunted for more than been hunted for more than two months; lives in caves two months; lives in caves and fields; hunts his own and fields; hunts his own food.food.

– hates the governmenthates the government Many disparage Muley for not Many disparage Muley for not

heading west with his family: heading west with his family: There is something at work There is something at work there that is much stronger there that is much stronger than we can imagine: His very than we can imagine: His very being is tied to the land. being is tied to the land.

This is a huge theme in the This is a huge theme in the book and in Steinbeck’s book and in Steinbeck’s writing in general.writing in general.

Discussion: Chapters 6-9Discussion: Chapters 6-9 Ma JoadMa Joad

– Backbone of the family.Backbone of the family.– ““Heavy, but not fat; thick with Heavy, but not fat; thick with

child-bearing and work” ;“full child-bearing and work” ;“full face was not soft, but face was not soft, but controlled, kindly.”controlled, kindly.”

– The “citadel of the family.”The “citadel of the family.”– Pa and the family “could not Pa and the family “could not

know fear or hurt unless (Ma) know fear or hurt unless (Ma) acknowledges it…if she ever acknowledges it…if she ever deeply wavers or despairs the deeply wavers or despairs the family would fall, the family family would fall, the family will to function would be will to function would be gone.”gone.”

– Considered the healer of the Considered the healer of the family; the arbiter of disputes.family; the arbiter of disputes.

– She fights to keep the family She fights to keep the family together.together.

Discussion: Chapters 6-9Discussion: Chapters 6-9 Pa JoadPa Joad

– Official head of the family. Official head of the family. Hard-working tenant Hard-working tenant farmer who is forced out farmer who is forced out by elements beyond his by elements beyond his control.control.

– Only touches Tom on the Only touches Tom on the shoulder, and very timidly, shoulder, and very timidly, after an extended talk after an extended talk with him. Doesn’t openly with him. Doesn’t openly show emotions.show emotions.

– Doesn’t trust anyone who Doesn’t trust anyone who writes for no reason.writes for no reason.

– Looks dirty and worn; Looks dirty and worn; worn out clothes, salt-and-worn out clothes, salt-and-pepper beard. pepper beard.

Discussion: Chapters 6-9Discussion: Chapters 6-9 Uncle John:Uncle John:

– ““Crazy kind of son-of-Crazy kind of son-of-bitch – somepin like bitch – somepin like Muley, on’y worse in Muley, on’y worse in some ways.”some ways.”

– Often seen drunk and Often seen drunk and visiting whore houses.visiting whore houses.

– Feels guilty about his Feels guilty about his wife’s death; blames wife’s death; blames himself for his family’s himself for his family’s bad luck.bad luck.

– Older than PaOlder than Pa– Never goes to church; Never goes to church;

wants to be off alone; wants to be off alone; doesn’t want to get doesn’t want to get close to anyone.close to anyone.

Discussion: Chapters 6-9Discussion: Chapters 6-9 Granma and GranpaGranma and Granpa

– Sleep in the barn so that they Sleep in the barn so that they aren’t bothered and don’t aren’t bothered and don’t bother.bother.

– Fighting keeps their Fighting keeps their relationship healthy: They relationship healthy: They love it (need it) and are love it (need it) and are devoted to each other.devoted to each other.

– Granpa is “cantankerous, Granpa is “cantankerous, complaining, mischievous.” complaining, mischievous.”

– Attached to the land; too old Attached to the land; too old to adapt to a new place; to adapt to a new place; pretends to want to go to pretends to want to go to California but doesn’t mean it.California but doesn’t mean it.

– Granma is “as mean as her Granma is “as mean as her husband”; shot Granpa once husband”; shot Granpa once during one of their during one of their arguments, which made him arguments, which made him love her even more.love her even more.

– Speaks in tongues when the Speaks in tongues when the spirit hits her.spirit hits her.

Discussion: Chapters 6-9Discussion: Chapters 6-9 Al JoadAl Joad

– 16 years old; interested in 16 years old; interested in girls and “billygoatin’” girls and “billygoatin’” aroun” at night.aroun” at night.

– Handsome, seen Handsome, seen unconsciously as a unconsciously as a younger version of Tom younger version of Tom (although less responsible (although less responsible at this young age).at this young age).

– Disappointed that Tom got Disappointed that Tom got paroled rather than paroled rather than escaped from prison.escaped from prison.

– Expert with automobiles; Expert with automobiles; caretaker of the truck.caretaker of the truck.

Discussion: Chapters 6-9Discussion: Chapters 6-9 NoahNoah

– First-born son of the Joads; Pa First-born son of the Joads; Pa pulled him out of Ma with his pulled him out of Ma with his hands because he couldn’t hands because he couldn’t deal with Ma’s pain and deal with Ma’s pain and screaming.screaming.

– He is not stupid; just strange He is not stupid; just strange and a little slow. Loves family and a little slow. Loves family but feels like an outsider.but feels like an outsider.

Rose of SharonRose of Sharon– 17 or 18; pregnant.17 or 18; pregnant.– Pre-motherhood has changed Pre-motherhood has changed

her from an immature girl to a her from an immature girl to a young woman gaining young woman gaining wisdom. This change isn’t wisdom. This change isn’t completed until almost the completed until almost the end of the novel.end of the novel.

ConnieConnie– Rose of Sharon’s 19-year-old Rose of Sharon’s 19-year-old

husbandhusband

Chapters 6-9: discussion notesChapters 6-9: discussion notes

Ruthie and WinfieldRuthie and Winfield– Youngest Joad Youngest Joad

children; Ruthie, 12, children; Ruthie, 12, is on verge of is on verge of adolescence; adolescence; Winfield is a rough-Winfield is a rough-and-tumble, typical and-tumble, typical boy, 10.boy, 10.

Discussion notes: chapters 10-11Discussion notes: chapters 10-11

Transitions and transformationsTransitions and transformations

When the Joads change from farm people to road When the Joads change from farm people to road people, they have to cast off not only many of people, they have to cast off not only many of their belongings but their habits and customs as their belongings but their habits and customs as well:well:– Casy salts the pork even though it’s “women’s work,” Casy salts the pork even though it’s “women’s work,”

according to Ma. “It’s all work,” Casy replies.according to Ma. “It’s all work,” Casy replies.– The leadership of the Joads must pass to Ma before the The leadership of the Joads must pass to Ma before the

family can assume its new identity.family can assume its new identity.– Grandpa refuses to go: To be torn away from his land is Grandpa refuses to go: To be torn away from his land is

too shattering for him.too shattering for him.

Discussion notes: chapters 10-11Discussion notes: chapters 10-11

The Joad familyThe Joad family Each person is a Each person is a

separate individual separate individual with distinct qualities. with distinct qualities. Yet, the family often Yet, the family often acts as if it were one acts as if it were one person. It makes person. It makes decisions as a group, decisions as a group, travels as a single travels as a single unit, and reacts unit, and reacts uniformly to events.uniformly to events.

Discussion notes: chapters 10-11Discussion notes: chapters 10-11

Experience changes the family’s Experience changes the family’s personality:personality:

– Before the Joads leave home, Before the Joads leave home, Grandpa and Granma rule the Grandpa and Granma rule the roost, at least in name. When the roost, at least in name. When the family breaks ties to the land and family breaks ties to the land and joins the migrant exodus, the old joins the migrant exodus, the old generation gives way to the new.generation gives way to the new.

– Pa’s authority is fleeting: Ma Pa’s authority is fleeting: Ma gradually takes over, and her gradually takes over, and her powerful personality and steady powerful personality and steady hand are what holds the family hand are what holds the family together at this point. together at this point.

– When Tom plans to remain with When Tom plans to remain with another family’s disabled car until another family’s disabled car until it is fixed, Ma vows to smash him it is fixed, Ma vows to smash him with a jack handle if he insists the with a jack handle if he insists the family go on without him. She is family go on without him. She is then seen as the undisputed then seen as the undisputed leader of the Joads.leader of the Joads.

Discussion notes: chapters 10-11Discussion notes: chapters 10-11

Yet, Ma is already (subconsciously) Yet, Ma is already (subconsciously) beginning to subscribe to a new notion of beginning to subscribe to a new notion of family. “I” is becoming “We.” When family. “I” is becoming “We.” When isolated families fuse with one another, a isolated families fuse with one another, a larger family, a Human Family, develops.larger family, a Human Family, develops.

This is also seen when Muley knows he This is also seen when Muley knows he must share his rabbit with Tom and Casy. must share his rabbit with Tom and Casy. They are hungry: He has food. He must They are hungry: He has food. He must share.share.

Test 1: PreviewTest 1: Preview

Covers chapters 1-11Covers chapters 1-11 68 total points: 13 multiple choice questions; 7 true or 68 total points: 13 multiple choice questions; 7 true or

false; three short answer questions (20 points); 6 false; three short answer questions (20 points); 6 identification of speakers and the passages’ meanings identification of speakers and the passages’ meanings (18); one essay (10 points) that includes a video (18); one essay (10 points) that includes a video component. component.

Know the characters and their general Know the characters and their general traits/characteristics.traits/characteristics.

Specifically review chapters 1,5,and 9: know the Specifically review chapters 1,5,and 9: know the overall idea or purpose of those chaptersoverall idea or purpose of those chapters

Review the viewing guide for what we have covered of Review the viewing guide for what we have covered of Steinbeck’s “Biography” so far.Steinbeck’s “Biography” so far.