With thousands of framing families moving across the country, it's no wonder that they bonded along the way. I would imagine that the families could relate to each other on many levels because they all lost their land, money, and homes to the Dust Bowl. As they stopped every night to rest, the families bonded over their experiences and discussed their future plans. They were courteous of each other and helped each other out. The idea of these families coming together makes perfect sense to me because this way they could go to one another for help if they have already gone through the same things. Tom confirmed the unity of the families by saying, "This is the beginning form 'I' to 'we' (Steinbeck 152)."
Humanity is spotted once again in chapter sixteen. It seems as if every short, lesson learning chapter focuses on humanity. This one involves a store owner and her assistant, Al, helping out some boys who couldn't afford much food. At first it was confusing because I thought Al was the young boy, but he really worked at the store. Anyways, these examples of humanity are really refreshing because it's nice to see that folks during this time still had heart and sympathy for those who lost a lot of their livelihood compared to the folks who looked down upon them.
I have grown to like Rosasharn, and this chapter had a lot to do with it. She is a dreamer. I can respect someone who has hopes and dreams for themselves. She and Connie have a plan to start a new life in the city and raise their family in the best possible way. However, I didn't like how ma quickly shut down her dream by saying, "We don' want you to go 'way from us (Steinbeck 165)." I feel as if Rose has plans of her own she should go after them with all her heart. Ma shouldn't try to stop her because the whole family traveled to California to find a new life, no matter what that life contains.
[Bibliography]
Steinbeck, John. The Grapes of Wrath. New York: Penguin, 2002. Print.
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