These chapters were as good as the rest, though chapter twenty-two seemed more optimistic than the other chapters. Chapter twenty-one is another one of those chapters that focuses on the whole group of farmers that were displaced, rather than focusing only on the Joad family. It talked about how the anger among the poor farmers was growing. It hinted at some sort of violence in the future in order to hopefully change things for the better. The farmers won't take much more of the disrespect they've been getting for much longer.
In chapter twenty-two, the family arrives at the government camp they heard about a few chapters back. It seems like a paradise on earth for the Joads. If this were my novel, as soon as the Joads get settled in at the camp they'd find out something horrible about it. For example, it's really a colony of aliens from outer space, or the reason no one breaks the rules is because of a gas around the camp that makes everyone more docile. The gas would then beat out the oxygen and people would have to leave or suffocate. Grim, I know, but it'd make for a good story if written properly. Maybe. Steinbeck's version works too, though.
Tom gets a job right away, digging a ditch for a man. He seems really excited about digging - more so than someone else in his position would be. He must like it. While Tom's out digging and everyone else is asleep, Ruthie and Winfield find the public bathroom at the camp. It's funny but also kind of sad that they think they've broken it when all they really did was flush it.
I think Rose of Sharon needs to get over herself. That woman she was talking to was obviously crazy, so she needs to stop worrying about losing her baby just because she danced with someone. She also needs to get over Connie. As Ma put it, there's work to be done, and she needs to do it. Women like that just annoy me.
No comments:
Post a Comment