The Grapes of Wrath Chapter 10 By Bethany

The Grapes of Wrath Chapter 10 By Bethany & Sarah

Chapter Summary Ma shares with Tom her worries that the stories about California sound too good to be true. Grandpa, however, can't wait to get to California where he will pick fruit and let the juice run down his body. Casy asks Ma and Tom if he can go west with them. Ma says she'd welcome him, but the menfolk have to decide. The truck returns from Sallisaw later that afternoon. Ruthie and Winfield stand in the back of the truck with the pregnant Rose of Sharon and her husband, Connie. Pa and Uncle John are in the front seat, and Al, full of responsibility, is driving. They tumble out of the truck, tired and discouraged, having only gotten 18 dollars for all their household items, including the wagon.

Chapter Summary-Continued That evening, the family meets by the truck for a family council where they decide that they will take along the preacher. Following the meeting, they all pitch in to slaughter the pigs, salt-pack the pork into barrels, and pack the rest of their possessions in the truck. With everyone working, the truck is loaded by daylight. With Muley Graves to see them off, the Joads pile into the truck. At the final moment, Grandpa refuses to leave. Ma puts some sleeping syrup in his coffee, and he is soon fast asleep. The men load him into the back of the truck, and the Joads start off. Ma tries to look back as they leave, but her view is blocked. The others in the back of the truck watch the house and barn until both are cut off from their sight, as the truck crawls westward.

Significance of quotes I'm scared of stuff so nice. I ain't got faith. I'm scared somepin ain't so nice about it. " (Ma)pg? The significance of this quote is the concerns and worries Ma has about traveling to California and how it seems all too good to be true. "I dunno, " he said. "Two weeks, maybe ten days if we got luck. Look, Ma, stop your worryin'. I'm a-gonna tell you somepin about bein' in the pen. You can't go thinkin' when you're gonna be out. You'd go nuts. You got to think about that day, an' then the nex' day, about the ball game Sat'dy. That's what you got to do. Ol' timers does that. A new young fella gets buttin' his head on the cell door. He's thinkin' how long it's gonna be. Whyn't you do that? Jus' take ever' day. " pg 95 This quote is significant due to Tom sharing his personal experiences with dealing and coping whilst in prison. He expresses that they just need to focus and get through one day at a time.

The Family Looking at the family structure and discussion regarding the family’s move to California. In Chapter 10 the decision regarding the move was made or agreed upon by the whole family. The family all pitched in and worked in order for them to leave by daylight and in discussions they all seem to be equal but the menfolk seem to be the main decision makers. Chapter 10 marks the last time in the novel that the family unit will function as a traditional whole. Once the Joads leave Oklahoma, the family as a smaller unit will deteriorate and be replaced by a larger vision of community.