seminar 2 Flashcards
(12 cards)
Chapter 1 Grapes of wrath
1. How is Oklahoma described?
Oklahoma is described as a land that experienced a huge drought that effected Oklahoma in the thirties. In Oklahoma there are vast farmlands that grow corn. It is dusty and appears desert-like, especially after the drought. Since there has been little rain the earth is so dry that it becomes a windstorm when the winds starts raging causing the corn crops to fail. This happens beteween the months of May and June,
What is the significance of dust in chapter one of grapes of wrath?
The draught caused the upper layer of the earth to dry up and created dust storms that covered the houses and the cars. It might be symbolic of the hardships the people are experiencing in the book.
What happens in the last paragraph of the chapter one in grapes of wrath?
The people and families come out of their houses after the dust has settled and just stand there watching the ruined corn and their livelihood, wonder what to do now, with hard angry faces. That seems to calm the women down as they now know they will be safe because the men will not break. The men are whole and so the women and their children will be safe. The children start to play, the women go into their houses and work, and the men sit in their doorways while trying to find out what to do.
Who is Tom Joad?
Tom joad is a hitchiker and the son of old Tom Joad who is a cropper. He has been in prison for homocide.
Who does Tom meet in this chapter 2?
Tom meets a nosy truck driver, who picks up Tom and is very curious, he asks questions about Tom which annoys Tom. The truck driver is interested in poetry and wants to take a correspondence course in mechanical engineering.
Why does Casy stop “preachin’”?
Casy stops preachin for several reasons, he does not have the calling anymore, he has sinful ideas and he feels guilty for having sex with girls after preaching. He feels like a hypocrite. However, he is having doubts about his faith. he says he belives that maybe all men got one big soul that everybody is a part of and he cannot be a preacher after that. In other words, he has become a doubter.
Notice how this chapter is separate from the Joad family’s storyline. What is the effect of
these “interludes” throughout the novel, do you think?
They might serve as a pause for reflection and thought. There is a difference between how the farmers work the land and the tenets. The diffrence is that some work for money and those who work the land for love and food. Those who care about the land, and those who don’t.
Does the story in this chapter have a “villain”?
The bank is portrayed as the monster. However, the villain might also be the landowners, because the land is not making any profits. If it does not make a profit, it needs to be sold. So Captialism might be the culprit, really.
What are some of the contrasts in the chapter? For instance, between men and machines, or
between machines and nature.
The contrast is that men work the land and for the land, whilst the machines just work the land. The machines do not care about the nature or the people, but people care about the nature.
Which characters are introduced in this chapter? How are they described?
Uncle John; a loner, a drunk, formely married but refused to get doctor’s help when his wife got sick, so he died. He is trying to make up for it by giving away everything he has got. Good farmer walks around alone at night. Gives gum to the kids.
Old Tom joad: hardworking, wears old clothes, cracked shoes with swollen soles.
Ma Joad: Harworking, cooks, heavy but not fat, she accepts her position and is described among other things as a citadel in the family
Granma: deeply religious, says praise God for victory.
Noah: first - born, tall and strange,
Rosasharn; Pregnant, married to Connie.
Connie:
Al Joad: Seems to look up to his brother Tom.
What is the purpose of the detailed descriptions in this novel, do you think? For instance,
of clothing, interiors, or landscapes?
The purpose I think is to give an account of how a real farmers live was in the thirties, show their poverty, their frugality, give an accurate description of things.
How does Tom’s mother welcome him, before she knows it’s her son?
She welcomes him with a cool, calm drawl, friendly but humble, “Let em come” she said, “we got plenty”.
She welcomes him and is very hospitable, tells them to come in and sit down, but also strict with the handwashing.
