The Grapes of Wrath Section 3 (Chapters 11-17)
Here we get a brief description from the narrator regarding the lack of connection that the new farmers have with the land. While the previous farmers had felt a close connection to the soil, and toiled their land with intimate care, the new breed of farmers are merely corporate employees. They do not live on the land, and at the end of each day, they head off to their own homes elsewhere, lacking any compassion or concern for the land. The relationship that the old farmers had with their land ceases to exist. We then see how the houses, barns, and properties fall into disrepair, once abandoned, as the elements take over, and animals assume ownership.
Chapter 12 describes generic travels westward, mentioning some of the highways and towns that the route consists of. There’s mention of the troubles that might arise, from a thirsty kid in the backseat, to the need to buy a replacement tire from a roadside shyster. Cars overheating, and throngs of travelers are described, painting a picture of the westward flow of emigrants, a slow-moving but unstoppable force.
While stopped at a gas station on the first day, the Joads’ family dog is hit and instantly killed by a car. The car that hit the dog simply continues on its way, without any apparent concern by the driver. It’s a brutal, gory mess, and while most of the family appears to take it in stride, little Winfield takes it hard, as this is the most gruesome thing he has ever witnessed.
Towards evening, they camp on the side of the road, next to another travelling couple, Ivy and Sairy Wilson. They greet each other, and talk for a while. A short while later, Grampa feels very ill, and the Wilsons offer to let him lay down inside their tent for a while. Within a few minutes, he passes away. The family speculates that he had experienced a stroke, although his death is likely to be a direct result of the overdose of sedatives they’d given him early that morning. However, this obvious suspicion is never mentioned. Instead, the family simply accepts his death as part of a day’s events. Having no money to provide a proper burial, they decide to bury him in a nearby field. They cannot place a headstone above ground, as the law requires a coroner’s documentation for any death, something they cannot afford. Thus, they decide to write a message on a blank page from the Wilsons’ Bible, and preserve it inside of a jar which is buried with Grampa. Casy reluctantly offers a eulogy/ prayer, in spite of his protest that he is not worthy.
The Wilsons are very sympathetic over Grampa’s death, and help the family as much as they can. As a way of repaying the Wilson’s for their kindness, Al and Tom decide to repair the broken-down car that the Wilson’s are in.
People in California, and all of the West, have become anxious, as the trickle of migrants arriving from the Midwest has grown to an overwhelming stampede. The western people are not familiar with any type of change, and the change they are witnessing frightens them immensely. They fear the massive numbers of people, and especially a glut of workers, which they are certain will lead to unemployment, crime, and poverty. The newcomers are not welcome, and as more continue to arrive, the westerners’ fear and resentment grows.
We are also given a glimpse of how the poor tend to take care of each other in times of need, with those that have very little, sharing with those who have none. It’s an optimistic view of humanity, against a background of desperate times and difficult struggles. It is suggested that corporations and conglomerates fear this behavior.
An aside into a roadside cafe, operated by “Al” and “Mae,” shows us how resentment has begun to grow against the Dust Bowl escapees. This scenario plays out with Mae discussing with some truck drivers how the unending flow of migrants is not appreciated. The migrants are seen as parasites, even thieves. Truck drivers are always appreciated, and are the preferred customers, as they have enough money to pay for whatever they need. The migrants, however, tend to be seen as filthy and desperate, sometimes begging for handouts, and at other times stealing things.
Thus, this class of people in their decrepit vehicles loaded with a lifetime’s collection of belongings are eyed warily and suspiciously wherever they go. If a business is unable to make money off of them, they are unwelcome.
During the course of the discussion, a migrant man and his children come into the restaurant and ask if they can buy a loaf of bread for a dime. The man is chastised by Mae, who indignantly replies that she is running a restaurant, not a grocery store. Her husband Al, working behind the counter, admonishes her to show some compassion, so she relents, selling the loaf for less than cost. She even sells some candy to the kids, at less than the actual price.
The truck drivers see this small act of compassion, and reciprocate by leaving very generous tips for Mae as they leave.
The Wilsons’ car breaks down again, only this time it requires a major repair. Still, the families are together now, so they all stop and the Joad boys again decide to fix the car.
The suggestion is made that perhaps part of the caravan should continue on in the Joads’ truck while repairs are being made to the Wilsons’ car, but Ma vehemently disagrees, even threatening violence towards anybody who tries to insist upon it. She worries that they’ll never find each other again. It is then agreed that all should stay together.
Pa has a conversation with a man in the camp, who gives Pa some alarming news. The man explains that he’s already been to California, and he’s now returning east, as California has no viable work opportunity. He acknowledges that there are jobs, but not as promised by the handbills. The man explains that when a farmer needs, for example, 800 men, he’ll print up 5,000 handbills, and that 20,000 people will see them. A few thousand will show up for work, and the landowner can then leverage the surplus of workers into lower wages. The workers will be observed, and those that look the most desperate and hungry will be targeted to work for paltry wages. Even then, there may be others willing to work for even less than that, as any job is better than no job for the thousands applying for work.
Through a few strokes of good luck, the boys are able to complete the repair in one evening, and are ready to continue the trek the next morning.
Here we are given more insight regarding the social structure of the roadside camps, or, “Hoovervilles,” named so in mockery of President Hoover, who is blamed for the country’s economic suffering. As the roadside camps become more commonplace, certain social conscripts are developed, which become known to all, almost instinctively. Each night, as one car stops, and others follow, the many families become one, each night. Each newcomer politely asks if they may stay, and permission is always granted. The short-term residents share rations, they talk, and they swap information.
Even individual families develop their own processes, to be followed each night. Family members follow a pattern of who sets up the tents, who cooks, who tends to children. In the morning, folded tents are placed in the “usual” place in the vehicle, and thus all of these families that were once farmers have become migrant families.
Analysis:
This group of chapters brings a description of the tribulations— and occasional successes— of being on the road. The Joads face a number of tragedies, to include losing the family dog, and then Granpa. However, they also encounter compassion from other travelers, and develop friendships. The acceptance of the Wilsons also demonstrates a flexibility in roles, as the new couple is absorbed into the family structure. This foreshadows the social unity themes later in the book.
The author also uses these chapters to draw a contrast between those who have lived on the land, caring for it with a deep respect and love, to the new corporate style of land management, which is focused on mass production volumes, with no concern whatsoever for the land, the families, or the communities.
We see the difficulties of living on the road continue to become more difficult. The struggles to continue onward continue to mount in difficulty, but with the families working as a team, along with help from strangers along the way, they persist, and continue on.
