INFORMATION FOR THE ACADEMIC DECATHLON TEAM

MORE ON THE GRAPES OF WRATH


Chapter 18, Page 201 of the authorized text:


1. Page 201: Why does the border guard ask about plants?
2. Page 201: Why is water expensive?
3. Page 202: Why does Steinbeck devote so very little time to Arizona?
4. Page 202: Ruthie and Winfield in a "reedy" place-Is this an oblique reference to Moses in the reeds?
5. Page 204: Note Tom's calling California "murder country" and contrast this with his mention of their "hard scrabble" life in Oklahoma.
6. Page 204: Why does Steinbeck introduce negative ideas about California at this point?
7. Page 204: What is the panhandle?
8. Page 205: Why do the Okies not understand the problems newcomers bring?
9. Page 205: The age-old conflict between ranchers and farmers? This was the background of many a western story.
10. Page 205: The Joads finally hear the term "Okie."
11. Page 206: Note Native Californians' fear factor.
12. Page 206: Owners cheat cotton pickers.
13. Page 206: William Randolph Hearst. His castle is a tourist attraction.
14. Page 206: Mr. Hearst kept his mistress at Los Altos on Wilshire Blvd. just west of Rossmore in what is now Korea Town.
15. Page 207: Grandpa had had a battle with Navajos.
16. Page 207: Materialism does not bring happiness.
17. Page 207: The man's declaimer on the availability of job opportunities in California.
18. Page 207, bottom of the page: Uncle John's "Que sera, sera" attitude about jobs in California. Does this attitude fit his character?
19. Page 208: Note the "returner's remorse on having told the truth about California?
20. Page 208: Why does Steinbeck have Noah leave the family?
21. Page 209: bottom of the page: Is Ma's message to Rose of Sharon a bit pompous
22. Page 210: Ma talks about the cycle of life.
23. Page 210: Visit of the "prayer" lady to Grandma's tent
24. Page 210: Ma denies Grandma's illness.
25. Page 211: Ma asserts the religiousness of the Joad family while refusing the offer of the prayer lady.
26. Page 211: Ma's rationalization for refusing
27. Pages 211 and 212: Note the powerful description of chanted prayer.
28. Page 212: Grandma is calmed by the sound of the praying.
29. Page 212: Ma describes the preacher, Casy.
30. Page 212: Ma ponders her rejection of prayer as a sin on her part.
31. Page 213: Rose of Sharon reveals Connie's plans for the future.
32. Page 213: Why does Rose of Sharon fantasize about ice?
33. Page 213: Another encounter with authority
34. Page 214: Ma confronts authority.
35. Page 214: Ma hears the word "Okie" for the first time.
36. Page 214: Why is Ma "fighting with her face?"
37. Page 214: Note the little boy playing muskrat.
38. Page 215: Ruthie sent to fetch Tom and sees him naked.
39. Page 215: Tom shoos Ruthie away.
40. Page 215: Ma fears that Tom may hit the policeman.
41. Page 215: Tom recalls the days when Ma was gentle.
42. Page 215: Ma relates the "Okie" episode to Tom.
43. Page 216: Tom tells Ma about Noah's leaving.
44. Page 216: Tom decides the family must heed the policeman's warning.
45. Page 217: Is despair setting in?
46. Page 217: Why are Noah's problems Pa's fault?
47. Page 217: The Wilsons cannot continue the journey because Sairy is ill.
48. Page 218: Mrs. Wilson asks for Casy as clergy.
49. Page 218: Casy declares he has no god.

MORE TO COME ON CHAPTER 18