1. Look closely at the opening paragraphs. Steinbeck notes details as well as the wide angle shot. He was influenced by film - Pare Lorentz's documentaries The Plow that Broke the Plains and The River - and his description of place is cinematic here. The structure of these paragraphs mirrors the structure of the book, as it moves back and forth form the detailed Joad chapters of 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.
The men appear strong, but don't know what to do once all their crops are gone. The women know that things will be alright as long as something remains. They only wait to see the actions of the men to see if they are ready to give up. Women know that in the end, everything will be alright.
3. Why does Steinbeck first introduce Tom Joad leaving jail? What thematic concerns are thus introduced?
It leaves people with questions but tells what he's been through. Insight is given into his background, meaning he has obviously done something bad, or perhaps he was framed.
4. In Chapter 2 there is a mention of flies and bugs. (Page 5, Chapter 2) Why do you think this will be important?
Because the flies are desperate to get inside. Inside the diner is what they want, but they have an obstacle in the way (screen door) which correlates to the humans around those parts since there is little that can be done to grow crops.
5. What's the description of Tom Joad in chapter 2? What does this description tell us about him? Where did he come from and why was he there?
He has just come from jail and he has a bunch of new clothes on which it is assumed the prison gave him. The clothes are just the standard that are given to everybody that gets out of jail, and it is apparent that he might have a troubled past. He is fresh out of jail and is returning home or going somewhere familiar.
6. What impression do you get of the Truck Driver in chapter 2? Why does he want to be a "Good Guy"? What theme does this reinforce?
Personally, I find him very annoying, especially because he was easily manipulated by Tom Joad and he repeated "Now don't get sore too many times". He wants to be a good guy because of what Tom said since he used his emotions against him. He wants to be a good guy and wants to do the right thing because the rich bastard boss isn't liked by the working class people. We vs. I, People vs. Molloch.
7. What's significant about the following quote: "Sure they stop, but it ain't to eat. They ain't hardly ever hungry. They're just goddamn sick of goin' --get sick of it. Joints is the only place you can pull 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."
The truck drivers are desperate for attention or other interaction. This is why he picks up Tom.
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 says, that there is no sin and there is no virtue. There's just stuff people do. Bad words, he says 'scuse me' after he says hell so he must be a little tense about them, however, given his attitude on religion and how things have turned out in his life, he shouldn't give that much thought to 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
Outstanding answers!
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