Plot
Why do the cops kill Jim Casey?
For organizing a strike because of the unfair pay for migrants
What literary device is used and what is its purpose when Steinbeck writes, “The children…knelt in front of the food like little animals” (379)?
Simile to emphasize the migrants’ desperate conditions
What previous theme and chapter does this quote connect to: “The on’y thing you got to look at is that ever’ time they’s a little step fo’ward, she may slip back a little, but she never slips clear back.”
Manself from Chapter 14
“Here’s me, been a-goin’ into the wilderness like Jesus to try find out somepin”
Jim Casey
How does Ma’s perspective on Tom’s desire to leave the family reveal her character?
Ma’s perspective reveals her leadership and desire to keep the family together.
Why does Tom need to hide?
He retaliated against Casey’s perp, killing him and Tom's face was hit in the process (making him identifiable)
What literary device is used when Steinbeck writes, “The fire roared in the Joad house. Hamburger patties splashed and hissed in the grease, and the potatoes bubbled. The house was full of smoke, and the yellow lantern light threw heavy black shadows on the walls.”
Imagery
How do Jim Casey’s actions and beliefs about the strike connect to the rest of the novel?
Casey’s actions connect to the theme of revolution caused by growing anger. Examples include Chapter 25 and Chapter 21.
“I don’ know. Seems like I hear somepin, an’ then I listen an’ they ain’t nothing to hear”
Tom Joad
How do Casey’s beliefs illustrate his growth since the beginning of the journey?
Casey’s focus shifts from himself to leading a strike to benefit migrants as a whole.
What does Rose of Sharon think will be the fate of her baby, and why?
“Bad” and “a freak” due to poor conditions she's in and Tom’s murder
What literary device is used and what is its purpose when Steinbeck writes, “We tried to camp together an’ they druv us like pigs. Scattered us. Beat the hell outa fellas. Druv us like pigs. They run you in like pigs, too.”
Repetition to create emphasis on the bad treatment of the workers.
How does the ragged man in Chapter 16 foreshadow the working situation in Chapter 26?
The ragged man explains that the landowners in California are going to lower the wages of the migrant workers.
“They’s a whole lot I don’ un’erstan’. But goin’ away in’t gonna ease us. It’s gonna bear us down”
Ma
What does Jim Casey’s death represent about his character?
He is killed as a martyr (“Christ character”), leading a strike for a living wage
Why does Winfield collapse in the fields?
He got “skitters” from eating too many peaches
What literary device is used when Steinbeck writes, “‘French Revolution— all them fellas that figgered her out got their heads chopped off. Always that way."
How does Ma’s conversation with Connie and Rose of Sharon in Chapter 16 come back to Chapter 26?
In Chapter 16, Ma wants to keep the family together. In Chapter 26, Ma refuses to let Tom leave the family.
“What made ‘em bad was they needed stuff. An’ I begin to see, then. It’s need that makes all the trouble”
Jim Casey
What does Uncle John’s pessimism in this quote reveal about his character: “Don't look like we’re a-gonna get shet of this here. I bet it’s my sin?"
Uncle John has not grown as a character; he is still hyper-focused on his sin (letting his wife die) and consumed with guilt