Grapes Essay, Research Paper

The Grapes of Wrath: Plot Summary

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The Grapes of Wrath begins with Tom Joad rejoins his family after four

years in prison. He finds that his family has been pushed off their land,

and are preparing to move to California. Jim Casy, a former preacher, joins

the family on their trip. On the long ride to California, the Joads see

hundred of cars going in the same direction. Both the Joads and the reader

discovers many truths about life. Those rooted to the land, Grampa and

Granma, die at the onset of the journey. Ruthie and Winfield find adapting

to their new lifestyle the easiest. The Joads find that they are not

welcome where they travel, even though they are hardworking, honest people.

Those that have a lot to lose fear the ?Okies? who will do nearly anything

to live. Ironically, the ones to turn to in times of need are the poor.

When they arrive in California, the Joads settle into a Hooverville, only

to be evicted when the camp is set on fire. At the government camp, Ma Joad

almost cries when she is treated like a human again, but the Joads must

move again to find work. At a peach orchard, the Joads come upon a strike

that Casy is leading. When Casy is killed, Tom strikes one of the men in

anger, and the family must leave again. They settle into an abandoned

boxcar near a cotton farm, but their work is interrupted when flood rains

arrive. In this flood, however, the Joads find the will to keep fighting.

Rose of Sharon gives birth to a stillborn child, but then gives life to

another when she breast-feeds a dying stranger.

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