Chapter 13 stuck out to me just based on the hospitality and perserverance of the Joads and the Wilson's. I cannot remember exactly in the book where it was said, but Ma basically said that when you need help, the only ones who are willing to help are poor folks. The empathy and compassion displayed by these two families in this chapter it a great illustration of this thought. As we had experienced before with Willy Feeley, the world the Joads and Wilsons were living now was becoming survival of the fittest. It was refreshing to see complete strangers helping one another out and even towards the end of the chapter deciding to continue their voyage together to California.
The perserverance aspect came into to play with the death of Grampa Joad and the sickly state of Sairy Wilson. Despite the death of a loved one, the situation they were leaving, and the uncertainty of what laid ahead, these families continued to move forward. I understand that their survival was dependent on it, but I am sure lesser people would have waved the white flag.
There were also several characterizations re-inforced in this chapter. When dealing with the gas station owner you saw the complex, deep thinker side of Casy, and the short fuse, tell it like it is nature of Tom Joad. Other characterizations were re-inforced in this chapter, but those two were the ones that stuck out most to me. Basically letting us know that there is not too much about these characters that we don't already know.
My favorite passage is random. I enjoyed it because it spoke quite a bit about how younger and older people view things. Al is questioning Ma about her fears of going and what will lay ahead and she tells Al "Up ahead they's a thousan' lives we might live, but when it comes, it'll on'y be one. If I go ahead on all of 'em, its too much. You got to live ahead 'cause you're so young, but--it's jus' the road goin by for me." An' it's jus' how soon they gonna wanta eat some more pork bones." This speaks greatly how younger and older people view things.
I agree completely that chapter 13 does a great job of characterizing the Joads and the Wilsons. Both of the families’ hospitality and attitude to help others is quite inspirational.
ReplyDeleteIt shows how much families will do to survive and potentially get to a better way of living.
ReplyDeleteThis definitely is a good chapter. It helps to demonstrate that complete strangers are willing to help one another. The passage that you selected I also liked. Its also shows how ma tries to keep hope alive in the family and keep them from being worried, despite being worried herself.
ReplyDeleteI also like this passage because it shows their worrys, which is what they will do out there, and will it be like they hoped, but ma says that they'll see when they get there.
ReplyDeleteI agree completely. This chapter shows great details of both families and also helps the reader build a stronger feel with these characters. It shows how kind they are in many different parts in chapter 13.
ReplyDeleteI agree. I really liked how the Joad's and the Willson's came together even though they did not know each other and formed a bond over the death of Grampa.
ReplyDeleteChapter 13 was by far one of the best we read so far just the overwhelming struggle both parties face and how they bond through it.
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