Discussion Questions 1

1. Look closely at the opening paragraphs. Steinbeck notes details as well as the wide angle shot. He was influenced by film - and his description of place is cinematic here. The Fourth structure of these paragraphs mirrors the structure of the book, as it moves back and fourth from the detailed Joad chapters to the inter chapters that cover a wider perspective. 


2. The end of this opening chapter focuses on the people on the land, men vs. women. Note the ways that the book contrasts men's "figuring" to women's methods of coping. 
Men just stand their with a blank face, appear strong, but don't know what to do. 
The women act on what the men feel. As long as the men don't give up, the women know everything is going to be ok, but if the men give up, the women know some thing is wrong. 


3. Why does Seinbeck first introduce Tom Joad leaving jail? What thematic concerns are thus introduced?
Leaves people with questions, but shows what he has been through, and what he is like/his background.


4. In Ch. 2 these is a mention of flies and bugs, why do you think this will be important?
They want to get inside the dinner, but there's a screen door blocking them. Desperate to get in, but there is something in their way. 


5. What's the description of Tom Joad in ch. 2? What does this description tell us about him? Where did he come from (specifically) and why was he there? 
His clothes were cheap and new, they didn't fit him. He is just wearing the standard clothes that the jail gave him. 
He came from jail, because he killed a guy. 


6. What impression do you get of the Truck Driver in ch. 2? Why does he want to be a "Good Guy"? What theme does this reinforce? 
He was being manipulated by John. He wants to be a good guy, and go against what his bosses say. 
We vs. I


7. What's the significant about the following quote: "Sure they stop, but it ain't to eat. They ain't hardly ever hungary. They're just goddamn sick of goin'- get sick of it. Joints is the only place you can pul up, an' you stop you got to buy somepin so you can sling the bull with the broad behind the counter. So you get a cup of coffee and a piece of pie. Kind of gives a guy a little rest." 
They want to stop to have some interaction. They want some company, doesn't want to be a bad guy. Wants to be a regular person. They want to be part of every one else. 


8. The turtle chapter is justly famous. Early reviewers often focused only on the historical accuracy of the novel, whereas Steinbeck insisted that he was not writing merely social history. His vision was also highly suggestive, symbolic, mythic. The book, he said, had four layers - readers could take out of the novel what they could, based on their sensitivity and sophistication as readers. The turtle symbolizes the migrants in several ways. Discuss.
The turtle symbolizes the migrant workers because the turtle works hard even through the tough times. The farmers in the first chapter are going to have to work through the drought and rough events even though things seem dire, things will work out in the end, just like the women know.

9. What opinion does Casy, the former preacher, have about sin and using "bad words"?
He doesn't mind using them. they are just words folks use, and they mean nothing bad with them.

10. Why is it important that Casy was a "Burning Busher"?Because the Burning Bush alludes to the Bible. The Burning Bush is where Moses was told to lead the Israelites. Suppose it symbolizes dedication to God, as Moses did what God told him by leading them there, given Casy's past experiences as a preacher, he must have obeyed God similarly until he couldn't make sense of it anymore.. 


11. What's significant about the Jesus Quote? What themes does it reinforce? 
The preacher doesn't seem to understand why people have to rely on God and Jesus so much. He says perhaps that maybe the strength of people and the Holy Sperit is within everyone. This correlates to the corporations and all the businesses buying up all the farmland leaving the people out. You can't have one person in power, rather have respect for everyone around. Themes: People vs. Molloch & Importance of Family