The next morning, when the family is about to leave, Granpa
refuses to go. Ma Joad decides to drug him in order to get him into the truck.
They invite Casy to come with them and after packing some provisions, and
with $18.00 in their pocket after pawning their possessions, they are finally
ready to leave.
On the road, the Joad’s meet the Wilson’s, a couple
who is stranded on the highway with a broken car. The Joads stop to help them
and the two families decide that it would be easier if they traveled together.
Granpa, who never regained consciousness, dies and the Wilson’s help
bury him.
On the road, they stop at several camps and find out through
some people that there is no work in California. Still, they push on
The people of the towns through which they pass, do not understand
what has happened in the mid-west and resent the influx of migrant workers.
They look upon them with a great deal of disdain and don't want to help.
Review:
After everything and everyone is finally ready to leave, Grampa
changes his mind and wants to stay behind. The family refuses to let him do
that and spikes his coffee so that they can get him into the car. This act
foreshadows the fall of the family unit. The grandfather never regains consciousness
and is the first member to die.
The Joad's desire to help the Wilsons is indicative of their
sensitivity and kind nature towards others. They willingly share even though
they themselves don't have enough.
These chapter also illustrate the plight of the migrant farmer
and how they are viewed by others on Route 66.
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