GSEnglish

2006-02-27T14:21:00.000-08:00

Chapter 29: I am really nervous about the Joad family because winter is coming and men still haven't found steady work. I really think that they are in a good spot right now, though. They can get the groceries and stuff as long as they are still working.

2006-02-27T14:18:00.000-08:00

Chapter 28: I CANNOT believe that Ruthie opened her big(little) mouth about Tom. I don't care if she is little or not i would have kicked the crap out of the kid. GOSH ! I am ticked off.

2006-02-27T14:13:00.000-08:00

Chapter 27: Wow this chapter pretty much makes me want to write an entire book on cotton. LOL I feel like a genius. Maybe i should not go into pediatrics and become a cotton farmer. I think he should load his bag fool of rocks because then he would get done faster. Cotton picking would definitely suck.

2006-02-27T13:53:00.000-08:00

Chapter 23: When I read this chapter it really hit me the kind of simple lives people back then had. I really just think that our lives are taken over by lots of stuff that is not important. I love how their families are the number one priority in their lives. We really need to come back to this sort of living.

Chapter 24: It is kinda sad that the only thing they have at this place to look forward to is a dance! But hey! the dance also sounds like it would be freakin awesome! I wish the Joads could find work and live in this community forever. The people are nice and they get to take SHOWERS!!!! I bet they only took like one shower a month when they lived at home and now they are taking them everyday.

Chapter 25:This chapter made me hungry because I love FRUIT! John Steinbeck does an amazing job of describing and relaying the freshness and detail of the vineyards and orchard in California.

On the other hand the last page or so kinda turns that away when he uses the analogy of the rotting fruit. It is a good way to portray what is going on in the country though.

Chapter 26: The whole deal with the preacher is SO SAD! But thats the way things were back then. I am scared for Tom Joad the fact thathe may be in BIG TROUBLE! I am very glad he didn't decide to leave his family it is way too depressing to watch thier family split. I am still really worried about Winfield and Ruthie, this cannot be good for the children to go through.

2006-02-27T13:49:00.000-08:00

Chapter 22: I am so excited that the Joads finally found a place where they can get comfortable for a while. It is great that Tom has a job...this part of the book makes me so happy because it seems to restore a little bit of hope because the rest of the book has kind of been a drag. So i hereby dub this the HOPE chapter.

2006-02-27T13:48:00.000-08:00

Chapter 30-
Well, what a cruddy ending! I think that John Steinbeck is a great writer but he totally blew it with this book. It was as exciting as the GREAT DEPRESSION could have been. I think that he could have definitely ended the book better with something happy seeing as the whole entire book was about depression in our country. This whole book made me want to cry and rip my hair out.

2006-02-27T13:47:00.000-08:00

I think that thats cool that Al got married. Ruthie is dumb for opening her mouth. I feel sorry for Tom Joad and for the Joad family. Without Tom I think that they would fall apart. Too bad we'll never know because John Steinbeck is selfish.

2006-02-27T13:45:00.001-08:00

Chapter 30:

*Who has a black barn?? I knew Rosasharn's baby wouldn't make it. There's no way. Probably for the better too.

*Yes this was totally creepy. But at the same time it was beautiful (maybe that's what John wants us to think) and with that one action, he somehow made it seem like everything was going to be ok, and that his message of unity in times of desperation would be clear.

Chapter 29:

*They's bad times a comin,' what with winter and no work. I think they all die secretly.

*Somehow he's telling us it will still be ok though, because the last overview chapter mentioned that we were safe--because the men still had anger in their faces. That's how we survived at all.

Chapter 28:

*Ruthie is so pathetic. She has no excuse to have told about Tom. Even if she's little and knows nothing. I would have wolloped her a good one.

*I knew that was the last time we would see Tom. When Steinbeck gets rid of someone, he gets rid of them dangit. So long Tom. Good night, and good luck.

Chapter 27:

*I'm starting to believe that the overviews are less nationwide and more Joad-wide.

*Cotton pickin' is good pay.

2006-02-27T13:45:00.000-08:00

Chapter 21: It is absolutely amazing to me how bad the "okies" got treated. It reminds me a lot of the whole black and white segragation thing that went on a lot later. It seems like people will always find something to hate other people for. I really think it would be scary to grow up in this time not only because of the drought and poverty but because people started ask drastically.

2006-02-27T13:44:00.000-08:00

Yet again, I'm going to combine my chapter's again partly because they all run into one chapter together and I'm lazy. But shhh...don't tell Mrs. Schuldies. WAIT SHE'S SEES THIS DOESN'T SHE!!!! DANGIT!!!!

My thoughts on this book all come together to think of the word, incompletion. What happens to Tom? He was the main character for goodness sakes. And what about Connie? Noah? The Wainrights? They don't even give a description for the family as a whole and what happens to them. I can see that the author was trying to get us to think about it ourselves. But I don't like thinking for myself. I want the world to tell ME HOW TO THINK FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE! I DON'T WANT TO GRADUATE, I WANT TO BE A KID FORVER!

Wow, sorry about that. Just feeling a bit afraid. So that's all I have for this book, peace out.

2006-02-27T13:40:00.001-08:00

For chapter 27, Stephen says,
Picking cotton would stink soo bad.
Dude, I would freakin load my sack full of rocks.

28
Ruthie is completely stupid.
Tom always gets the short, short, short, short end of the stick.
There's never just good news. Like, the Joad's will start to get money and life is good......then boom! Ruthie gets in a hissy fit and now Tom has to leave.

2006-02-27T13:40:00.000-08:00

Chapter 30

1. Oh my gosh! What a waste of time! The ending of this book is so incomplete! What ever happened to Connie, Noah, and Tom? Are they even alive? Is there a Grapes of Wrath II? There has to be an explination.

2. Did Steinbeck die before he had a chance to write a sequal or what? That is the only acceptable excuse I can come up with for this rediculously open ending.

2006-02-27T13:38:00.000-08:00

Through Chapter 30
That took a lot of guts to nurse that guy. I think that Steinbeck is a jerk for just discontinuing the book there. There is so much more to tell if he chooses. I think that this is just a classic case of the author wanting to end the book. What a bunch of weak sauce. It was sad, though predictable, that Rose of Sharon had a stillborn. I wonder what the main cause was? If there was one thing or if several different factors that contributed. Malnutrition and stress related things would be my best guess. Making the dam was a good idea, though not very practical. Once again Ma Joad took control and moved everybody out. Living in a boxcar would stink I think. That rhymed.

2006-02-27T13:35:00.000-08:00

Chapter 28 & 29

1. Al got married!? Congrats, he and that girl seemed like they barely even knew eachother. But that just tells me that people were desperate for change in those times. I hope that works out for them.
2. Man Ruthie has a dirty mouth! My mom would shoot me if I said anything even CLOSE to that!

2006-02-27T13:34:00.000-08:00

Chapter 27
This chapter is the king chapter about cotton. Anything you need to know about cotton you can find it here. People are smart for charging so much for a bag, because they can't pick cotton without having a bag
Chapter 28
This place is really good for the Joads'. The get a good deal on groceries, a place to live, and it all seems like its coming together for them. That is until Ruthie told about Tom. What was she thinking!!! I think that they handled it pretty well though. Is something wrong with her baby, because I kinda feel that there might be. Will Tom be okay, and will he make it back to them okay?
Chapter 29
This chapter focuses on the rain. It seems like a major issue. Those who didn't have money saved they didn't have food. Which means they starve. Rivers start to overflow, and cars are ruined. It kinda sad to think about.
Chapter 30
WOW!!! This is amazing. When you think about it, its discusting, but how people come together when indeed. I think that this symbolizes that everything will turn out okay as long as people stick together. The baby, that's way sad. I felt like something was wrong, but i never imagined that it would be borned still born. I kinda felt that it ended unfinished.

2006-02-27T13:31:00.000-08:00

Chapt. 28 I'm glad the Joads are able to find work picking cotton.
It's so sad when tom has to leave.

Chapt. 29 I hate how depressing this chapter was.
I can't imagine not having any money to get food for my kid's.

Chapt. 30 It would suck so bad to have a still born child.
I hate the ending, because there are so many questions unanswered.

2006-02-27T13:06:00.000-08:00

Chapter 29-30
The saddest chapters. It affected me really bad. I really have nothing else to say.

2006-02-27T12:53:00.000-08:00

The Second To Last Chapter
Steinbeck states that the Okies start to steal food and necessities, but I would have started to do that a little after I figured out that there were no jobs. There is a way to steal anything with enough motive and resources.

The Last One!
Wooooooow . . . . . . That last entry is a little controversial. Mr. John Steinbeck is not considered a very ender when it comes to books in my book. A good ender either finishes what he is writing about or finish it in another novel. Not tick off the reader by not explaining what happens to any of the characters. You may say "Oh, well you are supposed to finish it in your brain," but I say horse stuff!!!!!!! Why would he write the dang book in the first place if at the end he wanted you to imagine the end?!?! I'm done, Peace Out.

2006-02-27T12:42:00.000-08:00

Chapther the 28th
At first I thought "Whoohooo rain!" But it might turn out to be snow because it's about winter. Maybe the rain stops and the depression will be done. The words that come out of Ruthie's mouth are dirtier than my thoughts. Whoops.

2006-02-27T12:41:00.000-08:00

chapter 27 It is sad the they have to buy things on credit fore there job. that means that they have to pay it back so they are not getting all there money to feed there familys.
chapter 28 it is cool they are getting money to buy stuff and that they have a warm place to live. It sucks for tom that his sis could not keep her mouth shut.
chapter 29 the rain strom hurt every one hard and it would suck to have it happen. It is cool haw the women see the men change.
chapter 30 It cool how everyone tries to make a danm. It is sad the she had a still born baby.

2006-02-23T12:36:00.000-08:00

My bones tingle as I start to get nearer the end of this book. Not because I want to know what happens so much, but I have a slightly better book that I could be spending my time reading. This one wouldn't be so bad if it wasn't forcibly forced onto us, but now it just doesn't seem as entertaining as if I were to read it in my own time. Like if you were given a new vehicle for Christmas, it wouldn't be taken care of nearly as much as if you were to buy one yourself. Anyway . . . . .

Chapter 27
I don't think that the cotton will last too much longer. If Mr. Steinbeck is to finish this book soon he has to either end the great depression or kill everybody off. I think people should save as much as they can with what they earn because they have to know that money and the job won't last very long.

2006-02-23T12:30:00.000-08:00

Chapter 27
I started to enjoy this short chapter. I used to look forward to read the ones about the joads but know short ones are really touchy. John Steinbeck is a literature genius.

2006-02-22T21:40:00.000-08:00

Chapter 28-
Woohooo rain! I can't believe that Al is getting married! Oh and by the way we don't cherish Cracker Jacks as much as they did!
Chapter 29-
This chapter went into madness!
How is the book going to come up with answers and end with all of this going on?

2006-02-22T15:12:00.000-08:00

Now we know where the term "cotton-pickin" came from!
People these days would never want to have the job of a cotton picker!

2006-02-22T13:03:00.000-08:00

By the way while reading chapter 25 and 26 do not listen metallica. Makes you feel even worse. When they got the peach job mum said " First thing to buy is coffee because you want it" I think it should've be milk for poor rose.

2006-02-22T12:46:00.000-08:00

Chapter 26
Who does this John Steinbeck think he is writing a 75-page chapter!?!?!? Anyway, I thought it was pretty funny towards the end when Al said "You want I should go back now?" That totally threw me off when I saw it. Had to read it again to understand. I knew that ol' John couldn't go without having Casy reappear so that the reader would find out what happened to him. I'll bet that Connie and Noah show up sometime too, and maybe even the turtle. John probably couldn't have written this story without killing off all of the family members and their friend; Grandpa, the dog, Grandma, Casey, and now Winfield is gonna kick the bucket. Murderer.

2006-02-22T12:45:00.000-08:00

23 It would be cool to hang out and listen to the music. How could they get booze when they had no job.

24.The dance seems fun. It was sad people would trade there souls for money.

25. It is sad how the country is goin. The saying makes since.

26. It is said that the pay keeps goin down. It is even sadder that they have to move to get a job.

2006-02-22T12:34:00.000-08:00

Chapter 26
This chapter was one of the longest and saddest. I am so desperate right now. I do not think they are going to be ok. I feel bad for Tom. Why he has to kill people. Hard to understand.

2006-02-22T12:01:00.000-08:00

Chapter 24-
I think that it was awesome how the government wasn't able to get onto the camp land because the riot was stopped. Im starting to think that Rose of Sharon is kind of a weenie.
Chapter 25-
Who likes monopolies? Really come on no wonder we went into the Great Depression! The big guys always have to pick on the little ones!
Chapter 26-
I can't believe that the Joads were obligated to take a job picking peaches that only paid 5 cents per box. That is insane at how hard they are having to work for food.

2006-02-22T11:54:00.000-08:00

Chapter 19-
For goodness sakes! Would the government do something other than be greedy! There needs to be a humongous force of soldiers keeping the okies in line. The banks need to be controlled also maybe every bank employee should be shot and they should start fresh!
Chapter 20-
I thought that it was really kind of Ma to give the leftovers of the family's meal. I think that she is such a strong woman. Oh and I have to drop my dead grandma off at the fishery tomorrow... okay I really dont but it would stink to not give your grandma a proper burial.
Chapter 21-
I'm excited for the migrants in this chapter because it is the first hint of power that may be given to them. The greedy farm and bank owners should start shakin in their boots.
Chapter 23-
I feel bad for these people because they don't have cable or radio or anything. They also probably didn't have a book such as the Grapes of Wrath to read... poor them.

2006-02-22T11:53:00.000-08:00

Chapter 22-
The camp that they found was too good to be true!
What is going to happen that is bad?

2006-02-22T07:43:00.000-08:00

Chapter 26
WOW this was a long chapter, but one of the best chapters so far. I didn't have a good feeling about the whole peaches thing, so I'm very glad that it didn't work out. Joad what is he thinking? I think that going to jail may have made him a little crazy!!! I don't blame Rose of Sharon for the way she acted. She was right about Joad. It wasn't the first man he killed, he'd scare me 2!!! I'm having a good feeling about the whole cotton thing though. I don't know why, but I just do!!! I also hope that it all works out for Joad, and he doesn't get caught, because I think the family needs him.

2006-02-21T14:06:00.000-08:00

Chapter 23:
The only joy that they looked forward to during the day was being able to dance with each other.

The preacher's totally took control of the vulnerable people while they were down.

Chapter 24:
Dude, Al is a little horny kid.

The Joad's are finally off to something well, however I don't think it will last long

Chapter 25:
People who were on top of the world in California, are now crumbling because they can't afford to keep the farms. The bank is going to soon become a monopoly.

Chapter 26:
Tom has a really bad temper.

It's funny to me how the guys freak out because Tom killed that guy. However, that guy had killed Casy as well. Tom is in trouble though because he's an Okie.

2006-02-21T14:01:00.000-08:00

Chapter ?

I don't know if I already mentioned the mountain men marching through town to demonstrate adn get their point acrossed, but it was really cool. In chapter 25 or 26, I forget which, we find how the book got its title. John Steinbeck would have written the best lyrics in the world if he had been a musician. He should've wrote for Roy Rogers. I can totally understand why Ma Joad and everyone talked about how they felt like people again. As you read you sort of empathize and start to imagine them as being almost sub-human.

2006-02-21T13:53:00.000-08:00

For Chapter 23, Stephen Says,
Dude, I can only imagine how pleasure starved the migrants were.
It's said that, "Alcohol is the brotherhood of all the worlds." What the Scalet does that mean?

For Chapter 24, Stephen Says,
Why does the chick's mom hate Al hitting on her daughter? You'd think people would encourage love in such times. I don't know, that just stuck on me for some reason.

Why would anyone want to cause more caos? WHat was those three guys' deal?

So... When when that Indian was like, "Let's have a turkey shooting club," he ment "let's go kill some foos"?

For Chapter 25, Stephen Says,
Finally! Some Fruit! I love Fruit! Oohhh.... I didn't know that harvesting would cost so much.
Dude, Finally it talks about "The Grapes of Wrath."

For Chapter 26, Stephen Says,
I wonder how much 2.5 cents is equal to in todays terms.
Casey! NOOOOOOOO! Breath Dam You! NOOOO!
Take that George!

2006-02-21T13:51:00.001-08:00

Chapter 23 & 24

1. Is there some sort of sybolism in the Indian story?
2. I was amazed that they were able to stop that fight from happening, it would be hard to do with out starting a whole new rumble.

Chapter 25 & 26

1. Grapes of Wrath!!! AHA!!!
2. I wonder what it means when a girl gets her ears pierced? Maybe it used to symbolize maturity or adulthood?
3. This chapter was REALLY long!! But it has been the most captivating in my opinion.

2006-02-21T13:51:00.000-08:00

Through Chapters 26

I felt kind of sick to my stomach when Jim Casy died. He was my favorite character. I'm glad Tom Joad took care of business, but I hope he doesn't get in trouble. I bet its lonely hiding by yourself. I found out that John Steinbeck was totally homeboys with Roy Rogers. He's in this book! I should be saying this in a comment not a blog, but I agree with Sarah (I think it was Sarah) that this is a good example of what happens during a state of nature. Ma Joad totally has taken over and I think that something more terrible than what has already happened is going to come of it. Pa Joad is probably going to kill himself or Ma Joad or something crazy like that. I feel sorry for him.

2006-02-21T13:39:00.000-08:00

Chapter 26:

Whew.

I love Tom but he's in quite the pickle right now. It'll work out though, I have a good feeling about the cotton pickers because they seem to keep secluded.

Is Ruthie dead yet? I love Winfield, I don't think Ma listened to the guy who said he had worms. I think Winfiel' has worms.

Chapter 25:

Just have to add that this is the most powerful chapter I've read since Sectumsempra in The Half Blood Prince. Gave me the shivers it did.

It's so tragic that I can't believe this happened and can't ignore the similarities between this and holocaust-race-hate-type stuff.

Chapter 24:

The control of the dance was bloody brilliant. I hope the government is watching, like they always are from those satellites. Watching the people in turmoil, then this one little Weedpatch of paradise and why it's that way.

Who would be interested in dancing with a pregnant girl?

Chapter 23:

John kinda lost me here. Jumped around quite a bit. But I get his gist (jist?)

I'm beginning to think that John does have some respect for life after all. Listen tathis: "Ever see a cock pheasant, stiff and beautiful, ever' feather drawed an' painted, an' even his eyes drawed in pretty? An' bang! You pick him up-- bloody an' twisted, an' you spoiled somepin better'n you; an' eatin' him don't never make it up to you, 'cause you spoiled somepin in yaself, an' you can't never fix it up."

2006-02-21T13:31:00.001-08:00

Chapter 22
This chapter made them seem like actual people. I'm happy for them! Did they really think they broke the toilet? That was pretty funny! I think that it's awesome that Rose of Sharon gets the chance to work with babies so she knows what it coming her way. But at the same time didn't they have a shower, and toilet before the depression?
Chapter 23
This chapter makes me think that even though they were going thru hell, they still found a way to have fun, and enjoy life. But if they couldn't afford food then how'd they get a instrument?
Chapter 24
The dance sounds fun! Again they still find time to enjoy themselves. I feel bad for him when he gets shut down by that girl!! Poor Guy. hehe
Chapter 25
This chapter put everything into perspective. Sad at the same time as eye opening!

2006-02-21T13:31:00.000-08:00

Chapt. 23 I like the story about the indian.
I think that it's cool how people used to play different instruments

Chapt. 24 I love how they planned how to stop the people from fighting
I can't believe that they would try to get rid of the camp.

Chapt. 25 The process of growing the fruit trees is pretty cool.
I can't believe they would dump all that fruit.

Chapt. 26 That sucks that they can't even afford to drive to Marysville to work.
I hate the big farms and stuff because all these people are trying to work, but the wages just aren't high enough. The joad family can barely afford to live and almost all of them work.

2006-02-21T12:58:00.000-08:00

Chapter 25
That is kinda sad when the business men say to just burn all of the food. I'll bet they could have at least charged some money for people to go eat some produce, but that would have probably interrupted their profits somehow. At least people these days think of the little man.

2006-02-21T12:41:00.000-08:00

Chapter 23
Man I'll bet there were some pretty good guitar and harmonica players back then, if you had nothing else to do then practice on your instrument. It wouldn't cost anything for a little entertainment, and that is what counted. I got the picture of an extremely ticked off preacher when they described him word-whipping the other folks.

Chapter 24
I would've wanted to be one of those Swedes in Dakota who puts pepper on the floor and watch the ladies get purty lively - lively as a filly in season. Watch out prom coordinators.

2006-02-21T12:34:00.000-08:00

Chapter 24
I am glad they were smart enough to stop the fight at dance. This was an exciting chapter.
Chapter 25
This was so sad. I was about to cry. I think this is the best chapter of all. It explains the situation realistically.
Chapter 26
I am not done yet but I am excited because they decided to leave the place.

2006-02-15T13:50:00.000-08:00

For chapter 22, Stephen says,

I think a statement that has alot of weight for the story is in this chapter. When you hear your mom say, "Wow, I feel like a person," well, that's something you just don't hear to often.

Oh yeah, do you think Ma really didn't know that she was in the Men's Bathroom.
Hubba Hubba ;- ) I'm just kidding. Everyone's being stupid and I'm trying to fit in.

2006-02-15T13:31:00.000-08:00

Chapter 20 & 21

1. It was really nice of Casy to take the blame for Tom.
2. I am ticked off at Connie for just leaving Rose of Sharon. What a jerk! He better have a good reason.

Chapter 22

1. That was halarious when Winfield and Ruthie were messing with the toilets and they thought they broke.

2. That 'Jesus' lady was crazy! She kinda made me mad, and what happened to her? Was that a siezure?

2006-02-15T13:03:00.000-08:00

Chapter 22
They are all clean and happy now. I did not understand why ma did not know how to use the shower. Did not they have hot water and cold water coming before. Were they always poor?

2006-02-15T12:55:00.000-08:00

The Last Part of Chapter 22 (414 to end)
Mrs. Sandry is a very independent woman who should keep her ideals to herself and learn to live among the other people. I don't think I would have gone so far as to threaten the woman with a stick, but told her to 'git.' I'll bet that Mrs. Sandry is the one who helps start the big fight that is going to not happen on Saturday night. Flushable toilets . . . who ever heard of such a thing?

2006-02-14T14:09:00.000-08:00

Chapt. 22 The camp seems to be a very good place for the Joads.
I hope that Al, Pa, and Uncle John can get work.

2006-02-14T14:00:00.000-08:00

For chapter 21, stephen says,
"I'm still unsure what blacklists are."
"Why is all the money of the economy being used for destructive intensions."
"Man, every single person in the country is deathly paranoid."

Chapter 22,
"What's the watchman mean by, "You ain't distitute?""
"I don't get the expression, "Kee-Rist!""
"How does the Farmer's Association and Bank of the West play a part in the economy's horrible wage situation? I though the Farmer's Association was the only thing that gave farmers any money."

2006-02-14T13:36:00.000-08:00

Chapter 21:
Honestly, I believe these chapters say the same things again and again. In different ways, they display the same message. But one thing that was displayed through this chapter was rage. Soon in the story, this will be shown. In many ways.

Chapter 22:
Some of us are over achievers and therefore read the whole chapter the night before we were supposed to.

What is going to happen on Saturday during the dance, will a fight be staged?

I can't believe that the Joad's had never used a toilet before. How weird!

2006-02-14T13:34:00.000-08:00

21 it is ungly how people treatedeach other. what the people would do just for a little bit of money. 22. It was cool they found a place to stay. Those people were nice to try to help tom get a job

2006-02-14T13:33:00.000-08:00

Chapter 17
People just kept going on. They didn't know what to expect, or what was ahead but they just kept going.
Chapter 18
The mom is really on edge. Like about Grandma's health. Will Grandma make it? Ok never mind I know she dies.
Chapter 19
People seemed to treat the Okies really bad. How do they just ignore the comments that are made towards them?
Chapter 20
I think it's really cool how they all come together in their own small community. They all kind of support each other. Like the whole food thing. Even when it came to getting into trouble with the law they were there for each other.
Chapter 21
FOOD! Wow this is an incredible need to live, and if you don't have it you die. Why is it always the Okies fault? I don't understand why they hate these type of people so much.

2006-02-14T13:32:00.001-08:00

Chapter 20:
I can't believe that Connie left Rose of Sharon. That is so sad. She is pregnant even though she is pretty annoying I still feel awful for her, because I don't know what she is going to do with her baby all by herself.

2006-02-14T13:32:00.000-08:00

Chapter 22:

*I knew it. I knew that the camp was amazing idea of Tom's. I love that Tom. He's a good boy.

*They just got there and now already they're planning an uprising. I don't think it will end well, but those runnin water pipes sure are sompin.

*I just have to add in that I absolutely hate Ruthie. She is the reason I hate kids in the first place, kids like her. Did you see her on the croque field?! What a spoiled little snot rag! Dispicable! A shame to the family! I'm glad she's miserable and dirty and starving. Take that Ruthie.

Chapter 21:

*I completely agree with the statement about children being little boils.

*This chapter shed more light on the Californian's fears. But I think they're looking at it all wrong. Why not accept and nurture the newcomers and build their economy and become the world leader in everything because of population and a crazy-strong economy?

2006-02-14T12:51:00.000-08:00

I'm glad Tom had breakfast at that house. I am glad they ended up in a really nice place. I think Every Okie can do it. They should just get together and put together what they have. I do not think this is going to end nice though.

2006-02-14T12:44:00.000-08:00

Chapter 21
"And the anger began to ferment," that was a very deep and thoughtful conclusion to the end of this chapter. It makes you wonder what is going to happen and when.

Chapter 22
So they think that they can just stay at the government camp and do whatever they feel, huh? I have a feeling that it won't last too long and they'll eventually have to leave somehow. I'll bet someone else dies in a couple of chapters, because I think that is the only way John Steinbeck thinks people will keep reading his book. I haven't even read about there being grapes anywhere anyway. We're getting pretty close to the end here John. Make with the gralpes.

2006-02-13T13:58:00.000-08:00

Chapter 18
Grandma finally bit the dust! Good riddance I say. She was miserable and making everybody around her miserable. This trip makes me think of The Call of The Wild by Jack London. Its like natural selection knocked out the two weak old ones right off. The stupid guy even left. The Joad family cleansing they could call this book. I think that "Ma" is a very intersting character. She is very determined and able to adapt.

2006-02-13T13:42:00.000-08:00

Chapt. 21 It's interesting to see how the vicious cycle began. And how it grew to the epidemic that it did.
It's cruel how the people with more money and power controlled the weaker and poorer people.

Chapt. 22 This government camp is pretty cool. I wish i could stay there.
It's looks like things are changing for the Joads.

2006-02-13T13:38:00.000-08:00

For chapter 20, Stephen says,

"Dude, Casey is a good dude! Way to be, Casey! You go girl!"

"How can a mom let her pride get in the way of making sure her children have something to eat?"

2006-02-13T13:37:00.000-08:00

Twenty
It was weird how they left the gram and the place after she died. It is sad when John has to drink to live with him self.

2006-02-13T13:34:00.000-08:00

Chapt. 20 I thought it was so crazy when all those people stopped the Joads from going to that government place.

I hope carrie isn't gone forever.

2006-02-13T13:33:00.000-08:00

Just so you all know, I got behind last week and have not blogged chapters 17 thru 20 yet. So instead of writing a couple of aha's or questions for both of them I am just going to cover my general thoughts for those 4 chapters.

First, they started with 13 people, lost Grandpa, gained the Wilson's. Then they lost the Noah, the Wilson's , grandma, Connie, and Casy. At one time they had 15 and now they only have 7 people with their family. It's almost like they lose one and just move on. There is really no big deal about it. They just keep pushing to find work.

Now, they are trying to find work and find out how life really is. One thing after another just pushes this family on. They almost seem like they have no family anymore. One by one the family is dropping off and all they do is keep going.

2006-02-13T12:46:00.000-08:00

Chapter 20
I have no questions or comments on this chapter because it was pretty understandable. There was nothing of interest that went on, it's not as if that Hooverville was any different than any camp spot they stayed at on the way to California. I have a feeling that there is a better place out there for this family than what they just left.

2006-02-13T12:38:00.000-08:00

Chapter 20
I am sorry about uncle john. Because it is really bad to feel guilty. And I do not understand why Connie left. Poor Rose of Sharon. What she is going to do with the baby. I did not like Pa saying bad stuff about RofS's husband. She is already pregnant. Poor girl.

2006-02-12T19:42:00.001-08:00

Chapter 20:

*That was funny how Tom looked for Uncle John, listening for his tuneless singing. Ha!

*I have a very very good feeling about Tom taking the family to the government camp. If everyone keeps saying ". . . yeah, but I heard i'twas all fulled up," and nobody actually checks, someone like Tom is bound to get a good spot.

2006-02-12T19:42:00.000-08:00

Chapter 20:

That was funny how Tom looked for Uncle John, listening for his tuneless singing. Ha!

I have a very very good feeling about Tom taking the family to the government camp. If everyone keeps saying ". . . yeah, but I heard i'twas all fulled up," and nobody actually checks, someone like Tom is bound to get a good spot.

2006-02-12T18:18:00.000-08:00

Chapter 20 (-- 357):

*I definitely wouldn't have fed all of those kids. But then again I didn't see their eyes like Ma did.

*When does the government start with their "relief" stuff? The CCC and all that? They need to get a move on. Those massive community projects totally cleaned up all of this grief.

Chapter 19:

*This chapter really took the big picture and squashed it down so the reader could understand exactly what was so hard about the time.

*Was all of the law enforcement brutal and inhuman, like nazis or something? Because they have too much power?

Chapter 18:

*I knew Granma was dead, why didn't the boarder guys know just by looking at her?

*It's good to know that after all of the lies they'd been told and false hopes that were bashed, the one thing that remained true and unwavering was the beauty of the California country. It feels good to read that.

Chapter 17:

*The strange little camp societies are what become of helpless people struggling for survival, molding into one blob of helpfulness and oneness.

*The curved fender for sheltering the fire was totally resourceful. I'd like to hear about the other simple things that were used for huge parts of survival like this.

Chapter 16:

*Someday, the Joad family will realize that the orange Han'bill was a bunch of bogus. But until then they'll keep swearing their futures by it! It's so pitiful and sad.

*I like Tom's sassin' authority. It proves the human spirit won't be killed, like what Steinbeck was talking about in that one chapter I quoted from. Very powerful.

2006-02-11T11:43:00.000-08:00

Chapter 17 & 18

1. Wow, Ma is a very brave woman. I don't think I could bring myself to lay next to a corpse for that amount of time reguardless of how close we were. Yuck.

2. I don't think that $40 will be enough to cover a funeral and everything, but I guess we will see.

Chapter 19 & 20

1. I was right, $40 was just not enough :( Poor Ma, she can't give her mother what she has always wanted and now she has to live with that for the rest of her life. As if her dying was not enough.

2. I really respect Casy for stepping up and taking the blame for Tom, but I have a feeling that it may end up backfiring on them.

2006-02-11T11:11:00.000-08:00

Chapter 19: I can't imagine living in a Hooverville. For one, it would be so unsanitary, I bet lots of people got sick and didn't make through this part of the journey. I also can't imagine just drinking the water straight from the stream. It would be very scary to have people come up to your "neighborhood" and say leave in 30 minutes because we are lighting it on fire. Geez, I can't even fathom.

2006-02-10T12:04:00.000-08:00

Chapter 18:
I really feel like this chapter is a chapter of warning. The son and father leaving California scares me and I think it isn't going to be as glorious as everyone says. I am scared for the Joads because of all of the sacrifices they have made to go to a place of lies or maybe it is really great I guess I will see.

2006-02-10T11:59:00.000-08:00

Chapter 17: Earlier this year we talked in government and talked about the state of nature and law of nature. In this chapter it makes me think of this because everyone is fending for themselves and really only the strong will survive.

2006-02-09T20:33:00.000-08:00

Chapter 20-
I think when Ma gave some soup to the hungry children I almost shed a tear;). No, I just really found it amazing how she could give away food when it is so limited.
I wish that the stupid U.S. government would have stepped in with the job situation and done more to help the economy.

2006-02-09T20:31:00.000-08:00

Chapter 19-
This chapter really portrayed how heartless people were during the Great Depression. It kinda turned into "survival of the fittest".

2006-02-09T20:27:00.000-08:00

Chapter 18-
The Joads should listen to the father and son returning from California. (I have a feeling that it is not going to be good there)
I can't believe that the mom stayed beside Grandma's dead corpse, it really kinda grossed me out.

2006-02-09T14:47:00.000-08:00

Thanks for the warm welcome....

2006-02-09T13:57:00.000-08:00

Hi Mr Griffith.
Welcome to our blog. I hope that you find this book more interesting than the rest of us do. :) Nice picture by the way.

2006-02-09T13:51:00.000-08:00

For chapter 19, Stephen says,

"Why are the landowners is California such jerks?"
"The landowners aren't even farmers. They should pay attension to the history of power. Dude, they are all going down!"

2006-02-09T13:38:00.000-08:00

Bloggers,
Introducing the newest member of our blog, Mr. Griffith.

Mr Griffith,
We would like to extend to you the warmest welcome to our blog.

2006-02-09T13:33:00.000-08:00

Chapter 17
It was cool how ever one would come togather in to there own little town.
It was sweet how they woulde meet there family.

2006-02-09T13:29:00.000-08:00

Chapt. 18 I can't believe that the mother had that much courage to lay next to her dead mom all night.
Connie and Rose are very brave, i don't think I would make cool aid with that many people in one truck.

Chapt. 19 I find it astonishing how many people went to California.
I would have hated to live like those people had to live, in the Hoovervilles.

2006-02-09T13:12:00.000-08:00

The last part of chapter 18
I wonder what John Steinback meant when he described Connie taking a blanket from the load and covering himself and Rose of Sharon with it, then struggling together. That would be kinda creepy to find out that you were probably doing the struggling thing while your grandmother's corpse was laying a couple of feet away.
Chapter the 19th
I think that the Okies will eventually have to take over California and split the land as best they can in order to survive. Where is the President while all of this is going on, I mean I know that there is a depression going on, but you'd think that he could somehow figure out how to fix the "whole country moving into one state" thing.

2006-02-09T13:03:00.000-08:00

I can not undertsand what government was doing at that time. It is not smart to make folks starve.
There is no government when they are hungry but there is government when they do bad stuff like stealing or murder. I am mad about this.

2006-02-09T12:52:00.000-08:00

I was about to cry when they leave the other family. Writer wrote it really sad. I could imagine the view. And the man standing next to the tent did not wave his hand to Joads. That showed me how desperate he was.
John went on " I killed her. An' sence then I tried to make it up- mos'ly to kids.. An' I tried to be good, an' I can't. I GET DRUNK, AN' I GO WILD."
" EVERYBODY goes WILD" said Casy.
I should've read that part a week ago!!!!!!

2006-02-08T13:49:00.000-08:00

For chapter 17, Stephen says,
"I like how the term "community" has a new meaning when people don't have homes."
"The times were truely in a state of nature with hardly any government."

For chapter 18, Stephen asks,
"Why was Ma so dishonest with Granma's state of health?"
"I think Ma is on the edge."
"I think Pa is going to flip too. Except he's going to flip from gilt from the Noah drama."

2006-02-08T13:37:00.000-08:00

Chapter four

How long has the Depression been going on for?
What happened to the house?

Chapter five

When the owners suggested California, were they purposely giving the tenants false hope?

I found it interesting how the author used “the monster” to represent the cold-hard thing that caused the tenants to leave. At first it was the bank which needed money, it was the entity itself of profit. Then it was the hand, the tool that was used to replace the men for the profit and efficiency of the entity.

Chapter six

What does ol' Muley think he's going to accomplish by sticking around?

What is California really like?

Chapter seven

What was that all about?

I suppose there was even profiteers during the depression. That would have been a good business to be in at the time. That is, of course, if good business could really happen then.

Chapter eight

I like the Joad family. The seem like good hard-working people to me. I especially like grampa, he makes me think of Bob Tuck.

How was it that a sixteen year old could just “tom-cat” around at that time for weeks on end?

Chapter nine

What are people gonna use all that stuff they're buying for?

Who's gonna buy all that stuff?

Chapter ten

I just kind of liked this quote:
I ain't gonna babtize. I'm gonna work in the fiel's, in the green fiel's an' I'm gonna be near to folks. I ain't gonna try to teach 'em nothin'. I'm gonna try to learn. Gonna hear husban' an' wife a-poundin' the mattress in the night. Gonna eat with 'em an learn." His eyes were wet and shining. "Gonna lay in the grass, open an' honest with anybody that'll have me. Gonna cuss an' swear an' hear the poetry of folks talkin'. All that's holy, all that's what I didn' understand'. All them things is the good things."--Casy--

I'm very surprised that old truck has to power to haul all them people.

Chapter eleven

I guess I never really realized how much the depression had to do with the implementation of the tractor.

There's a lot of truth to the comments made about how the cold tractor took the life out of farming. Hand tools are a lot more personal and do bring a greater understanding and appreciation for your workpiece, whether that work be soil, wood, or iron.

Chapter twelve

How is it that something as depressing as Hwy 66 became the famed route 66?

What happened to the folks that just broke down and couldn't go on? You know there had to be a few.

Chapter thirteen

Why do they continue to call him preacher when it seems to me he's made it very clear he isn't a preacher?

There wasn't a whole lot of emotion surrounding grampa's death, what's up with that?

Chapter fourteen

What is this opposing force? I kind of thought the whole country was pretty much in a rut?

The instant brotherhood of these people is amazing to me, you can't find that too many places nowadays.

2006-02-08T13:36:00.000-08:00

Chapters through 17
That one-eyed guy is one unlucky piece of human. I really like Tom Joad. He shows good reasoning I think, especially with the proprietor. He's smart for not just sleeping on the road and getting in trouble with the sherriff, because then his parole would be officially violated and he'd be shipped back.

2006-02-08T13:32:00.000-08:00

Chapter 16
This chapter amazed me. It was cool when ma fliped out. I wonder how the guy lost his high.

2006-02-08T13:29:00.000-08:00

Chapt. 17 It's cool how people adapt to situations, like they are adapting to the road.
Also it's cool how the family members adapt to their role in the family.

Chapt. 18 I hope the grandma will make it.
I wonder what will happen to Noah?

2006-02-08T12:34:00.001-08:00

<- Grapes with other personalities (the wrathful one is on the bottom)
Chapter 17
How would sleeping with two different girls in two different nights be endangering the worlds? I mean, if that were to happen nowdays the reaction to such an action would be completely different than back then. I suppose that the travellers didn't want another mouth to feed.

Chapter 17 1/2
That would be a difficult thing to do, driving on pure hope because you just crossed the California border and found a desert stil ahead of them and not one orage to be seen. But at least they still have the river to sit in.

2006-02-08T12:34:00.000-08:00

Noah just left. He is so brave. I do not think he is going to survive though. And I guess grandma is going to die. When I was reading this book in 8th grade I wanted everyone in the book die because I couldn't understand anything. It was also in english but shorter. Anyways right now I do not want them to die because I can understand and I think they're cool. I did not like the word "Okie". It's like people calling me foreign chick!
The mother did not disappoint me. I knew she was crazy. I knew she was a rebel. I like how she talked to the guy who called her "Okie"

2006-02-08T09:24:00.000-08:00

Chapter 16: Did people used to use urine to heal cuts a lot or what? And does it really work?

I have an enormous amount of respect for mama Joad. I can totally understand why she would want to keep her family together and I think i would be doing the same thing. I love how everyone in the family looks up to her and she is the ringleader.

2006-02-07T20:11:00.000-08:00

Chapter 16:
What was the author trying to relay when describing the one-eyed man going back into his room, etc.?

This chapter really described their desperate needs to find a place better than back home.

2006-02-07T14:14:00.001-08:00

Chapter 16

1. I cannot believe that Tom Joad was screwing around in the oily engine, then cut his hand, then peed on his wound, then put dirt on his hand and then he ate!!!! THAT IS SO SICK! I know he didn't wash his hands either.

2. I kinda felt bad for that guy who only had one eye. It was pretty sick how it was discribed but Tom and Al just kinda freaked out on him but his boss was always making fun of him and stuff so I thought it was kinda harsh.

2006-02-07T14:14:00.000-08:00

Chapt. 16 I thought it was really cool when the mom stood up for what she believed in.
Chapt. 16 Also i thought the urinating in the mud and using spider webs was also cool. It's cool how you can use such things to stop bleeding.

2006-02-07T13:39:00.000-08:00

For chapter 16, I totally had an ah-ha moment when the mom started freaking out. Al wanted the family to temporarily seperate and Ma was like "oh $hi! No!" She grabbed a metal bar and was like, "This family will stay together." It was soo something my Mom would do!!! I can picture her now, waiving a tire iron yelling, "I'm not leaving my babies!" Except she would probably follow through and smack my dad in the knoggen.

Also, what was Al's reasoning that urine and mud would help an open wound?

2006-02-07T13:31:00.000-08:00

chapter 15. They used to much simpleism. The way they used Al has the cook was confusing.

2006-02-07T13:29:00.001-08:00

Chapter 16
The whole thing when he cuts his hand, and just puts dirt over it, its simply gross. These people live had lifes, and they really don't care about much. It sad to thing that during times like the depression people just stopped caring about everything. It's also nice to see people helping other people out in these times of need; like the guy who gave them the car part for very cheap.

2006-02-07T13:29:00.000-08:00

2006-02-07T12:41:00.000-08:00

Chapter 16
This chapter is filled with the goings on in the book, but what disturbed me was that Tom Jr. decided to put mud made with urine on his hand. A person would think that this wouldn't help the healing process, but it appeared to have worked for him. I won't try it anytime soon. The man with the one eye almost seemed to have an air about him that craved pity. I think that the only way he could live with himself was to pity his existence. Will the man in the black coat ever turn up again in the book, or just disappear?

2006-02-06T13:34:00.000-08:00

Chapters 7-13
I want to know if that medecine induced his stroke. That would monster stink. Its a good thing they'll never know. The feeling of guilt would be pretty strong. I wonder if Tom's parole is going to come into play. I think that the Joads become more likeable as you read the book. At first they were almost like strangers in the book. A reader couldn't feel sympathy or empathize with the characters. I didn't like that. The Joads got very lucky with who they met on the road in my opinion. I wonder if they will run into anybody who will take advantage of them or steal some of their valuables. Free is the only price they can pay for anything. So why not steal it? How is the baby going to be if Rose of Sharon can't get good nutrition? Uh oh.