Post 1 of 10 (Ch.1-3) -Griselda

Griselda Casillas
Grapes of Wrath
John Steinbeck
Read and Post by Oct. 28
Hey Julianna, 
            I agree with you that the first chapter described the dust storm. I also agree that the setting takes place in the past. The houses seem to be very fragile and not able to keep the dust out. You are right, there were no characters introduced in the first chapter. 

In chapter two, we meet the driver and the hitchhiker. The hitchhikers name is Tom Joad, who just got out of jail. However, we don’t know who the driver’s name is. I don’t think that the two men will be traveling together. But, I think the book will be on Tom’s perspective.  A theme I noticed that the driver portrayed was curiosity because he asked Tom, “Lookin’ for a job?” (8). The driver kept asking Tom questions. It seems like Tom isn’t much of a talker, probably because he doesn’t know what to talk about since he’s been in jail for four years.  Another possibility could be that he doesn’t want to talk about his experience in jail.

            Tom was getting the idea that the driver wanted to find out more when Tom stated, “ Sure I been in McAlester. Been there four years…”(12). Tom was getting annoyed at the driver because he was asking him so many questions about his life and stuff. So Tom said, “Homicide, that’s a big word—means I killed a guy. Seven years. I’m sprung in four for keepin’ my nose clean” after he got off at the dirt road (13). It seemed like the driver was a little bit nervous after that, but tried to cover it by saying, “Luck!” (13).  
            I agree with you that in chapter three the turtle symbolizes the slow journey the people have to take by leaving their homes and starting a new life in California. I definitely agree with you that when the turtle is on it’s back, it symbolizes the struggles and hardships the people will face.