iNFORMATION FOR THE ACADEMIC DECATHLON TEAM

MORE ON THE GRAPES OF WRATH

Chapter 20, Page 240 of the authorized text:

1. Page 240: The autopsy of Grandma
2. Page 240: Grandma had always wished for a nice funeral.
3. Page 240: Ma rubs the side of her mouth. (See number 5)
4. Page 241: There is no money for a proper burial.
5. Page 241: Ma rubs the side of her mouth again. What does this body language mean?
6. Page 241: The coroner is bossy, but nice.
7. Page 241: Another Hooverville. Hoovervilles were funded by charities.
8. Page 241 How should we interpret "slovenly despair?'
9. Page 242: There are no road maps.
10. Page 242: Pa is trying to be polite about asking permission to camp. The bearded man seems not to understand.
11. Page 243: The interplay between Pa and the bearded man continues. Are they testing each other?
12. Page 243: The bearded man or the "mayor" is he mentally ill?
13. Page 244: This camp is a Hooverville.
14. Page 244: The young man says the mayor is "bull-simple." Does this mean crazy?"
15. Page 244: The Okies are pushed on so that they cannot settle down and become voters.
16. Page 245: Work is available in Salinas.
17. Page 245: The rationale for putting out so very many handbills.
18. Page 246: The peach orchard requires only nine men year round, but 3000 at harvest.
19. Page 246: "Tom said angrily, 'Them peaches got to be picked right now, don't they? Jus' when they're ripe?'" Is Tom thinking about a strike?
20. Page 246: What would a strike do to the orchard industry?
21. Page 246: When Tom suggests that the peaches be left to rot. The young man responds, "Well, you figgered out somepin, didn't you. Come right outa your own head." This is obviously an insult. Note how Tom reacts to this insult.
22. Page 247: Okie spokesmen are often sent to jail.
23. Page 247: Okie leaders are blacklisted by employers.
24. Page 247: Okie troublemakers are killed.
25. Page 247: Are these revelations foreshadowing?
26. Page 247: Why does a veil draw down over the young man's eyes?
27. Page 248: Tom is told to play dumb if the police come. Is it in Tom's character to play dumb?
28. Page 248: Tom is told to watch out for stools. Have we not been told that the Okie "worlds" are unified?
29. Page 249: Ma prepares a stew.
30. Page 249: Al harbors feelings of fear about his responsibility for the vehicle.
31. Page 249: Ton still has the cap he got when he left prison.
32. Page 250: People compared to trapped birds.
33. Page 250: Casy believes his prayers do not work.
34. Page 250: Young people compared to old by Casy.
35. Page 250: Five Dollars for Grandma's burial marker.
36. Page 251: Will Casy flee just as the dog has.
37. Page 251: Casy states he wishes to leave.
38. Page 251: Note the foreshadowing as Tom suggests a break or a riot.
39. Page 252: Tom suggests when nice quiet folks know nothing, something is going on. What can go on if people know nothing?
40. Page 252: Rose of Sharon has morning sickness.
41. Page 252: Will Connie go to school?
42. Page 252: Connie's regrets
43. Page 252: Rose of Sharon asserts that they must have a house for the baby.
44. Page 253: The little boy lies about having eaten well. Is this a manifestation of pride?
45. Page 254: Discussion about a government camp.
46. Page 254: Details about life in a government camp.
47. Page 254: When Ruthie and Winfield talk about Grandma, why does Ma shut them up?
48. Page 254: Al is randy again.
49. Page 255: Why does Al reveal that his brother killed someone?
50. Page 255: Why does Al warn Floyd about his brother?
51. Page 255: Floyd sets limits on Al. "You better git use' to a jalopy."
52. Page 255: Is Floyd giving up?
53. Page 256: Floyd chides Al: "You ain't learned," he said, "Takes gas to get roun' the country. Gas costs fifteen cents a gallon."
54. Page 257: Ma would like to feed everyone.
55. Page 259: A woman is angry that Ma fed her child. Does the show a crack in the unity of the worlds we have discussed?
56. Page 259: Now there is work in Santa Clara.
57. Page 260: Floyd lays it all out.
58. Page 260: Cotton picking starts in a month.
59. Page 261: Ma is still the boss.
60. Page 262 Floyd becomes the spokesperson.
61. Page 263: Floyd asks for a contract and demands that the contractor have a license.
62. Page 263: The law is that contractors have a license.
63. Page 263: The police question Floyd and Tom and warn them to leave.
64. Page 264: The police suggest that the camp might be broken up.
65. Page 264: A fight breaks out.
66. Page 264: Floyd escapes into the woods, a woman's hand is hit, Tom trips the deputy, Casy kicks the deputy in the neck rendering him unconscious, the contractor flees, and Tom tosses the gun away.
67. Page 265: Why does Tom toss the gun away?
68. Page 265: Why must Tom leave?
69. Page 265: Why will Casy take the blame?
70. Page 265: Tom flees to the river.
71. Page 266: Al thinks Casy is a damn fool to take the blame.
72. Page 266: Casy is arrested.
73. Page 267: Why is there a curious look of conquest on Casy's face?
74. Page 267: Ma tells John not to burden others with his sins. Firstly, she suggests he tell God, but then she says that he tell them to the river. What is the import of all this?
75. Page 267: Pa agrees with Ma's words by saying, " She's right. It gives a fella relief to tell, but it jus' spreads out his sin." Contrast this with "a trouble shared is a trouble halved."
76. Page 268: Connie has left. Is it for good?
77. Page 268: Ma chastises Rose of Sharon for feeling sorry for herself.
78. Page 268: Discussion of John holding out five Dollars. Ma does not see much sin in that. John; however, had kept the money out to get drunk and feels guilty.
79. Page 269: John exchanges his money for two silver Dollars so that he may get drunk. Is there any point in temporarily assuaging his by getting drunk. What is Steinbeck's idea here?
80. Page 269: Does the term self-abasement indicate the John hates himself?
81. Page 270: What is Steinbeck's purpose in having Ruthie and Winfield play drunk?
82. Page 270: Why do Al and Tom chastise the children?
83. Page 270: Why does Al feel that Ruthie has done enough to be punished?
84. Page 271: More discussion on the disappearance of Connie.
85. Page 271. Floyd warns that the pool-room boys will come to burn them out.
86. Page 271: Al asks Floyd for directions to the government camp.
87. Page 271: Floyd warns that the deputies have arrest quotas.
88. Page 272: Pa fails to understand group punishment.
89. Page 272: More discussion of Connie. Ma quizzes Rose of Sharon.
90. Page 272: Pa declares that Connie is no good.
91. Page 272: Ma tries to protect Rose of Sharon from hearing Pa's comment.
92. Page 273: Tom explains to Ma why they must leave.
93. Page 273: Now they have to find Uncle John who was allowed to go to get drunk.
94. Page 274: Tom tells the liquor store proprietor to give Connie the wrong directions if he shows up.
95. Page 274: Uncle John found drunk in a ditch.
96. Page 274: What is the import of the songs Uncle John is singing?
97. Page 274: Uncle John voices suicidal thoughts.
98. Page 274: Uncle John threatens to stay behind.
99. Page 276: Tom insists that Uncle John continue the journey.
100. Page 276: Tom renders Uncle John unconscious.
101. Page 277: Rose of Sharon refuses to leave.
102. Page 277: Tom lies to Rose of Sharon saying Connie will find them.
103. Page 277: Rose of Sharon is grasping at straws.
104. Page 278: The Joads pack up.
105. Page 278: Tom says there is a time to fight.
106. Page 279: Ma fears the family is breaking up.
107. Page 278: Local vigilantes block roads.
108. Page 278: Tom turns the truck around to avoid more trouble.
109. Page 280: As they drive back past the camp, it is burning.
110. Page 280: The Joads search for the government camp.
111. Page 280: Ma says rich people will self-destruct, but the poor will endure.
112. Page 281: Ma compared to a statue.