I have noticed in this book that the author is very clever in making subtle foresights unto the events that eventually happen in the plot. Whether it is a character’s emotional experience or a collaborative conversation between other characters, there is always a small hint of what is to come available in the text with some careful combing. In this case, it is the discussions that the Joad family has with other families that hints to me that there will be a rising up of the migrants at some point. As the Joads continue their journey, they seem to encounter more and more people who have common ideals about life in California. This ideal is that banding together as migrants can help them achieve what they sought in California initially. For example, when the Joads arrive at the government camp, Tom goes out and finds work with some neighboring campers. While on his work excursion, he gets to talking with some of the other men. They discuss how they would like to revolt against the poor labor availability and the misbalance of power between property owners and workers. They talk about banding together, and about how they could achieve anything if they became vengeful and collaborated. This makes the notion of power in numbers very real and relatable in the story. It seems that the balloon of migrant patience is beginning to reach it’s breaking point, and when it bursts, so will the current labor structure installations in California. I expect a revolt, and I have had every sign come to me to prove this hypothesis.
Characters keep shifting focus in the perspective of the reader. Where Tom and Al and others took the primary emphasis before, I think it is time for other characters to emerge and take a more major role in the story. Such is the case of Rose of Sharon. All along the journey before, she and her husband Connie were very idle, and did not play a very important part in how the story took shape. But now with Connie out of the picture, Rose of Sharon seems to be experiencing more emotional changes. She is finally becoming an active character in the plot. Since her baby is getting closer and closer to the inevitable birth, which will be a major event, she is emerging and progressing as a character. Some foresight for this is her new job as a Nursery worker in the government camp. I think that she will finally come to terms with her motherhood and become much more mature and grown up through this experience. Before, she has been much of a child, and relied most on Ma for advice and direction in her life decisions. She is going to have to learn how to take care of herself, and that will be her emotional conquest. Maturing and evolving into a woman will be entailed in her emotional journey. It will be an interesting period in the story.
Within chapters 22-24 of the novel the two strongest suggestions regarding “the power of numbers” both occur while Tom is working with the men who secure him a job during his first day at the campsite. The first example is when the farmer tells the men that he must pay them five cents and hour less, in an attempt to appease the more influential and prosperous farmers in the area. These large land owners are afraid that if they do not present a united front to the migrant workers than these workers might start expecting more from their employers. Secondly, when the same small farmer tells Tom and his new friends to be careful at the next camp dance, his reasons speak much to the power of numbers. According to the farmer who hired Tom, some of the bigger land owners are planning to stage a fight so that they can send police into the camp and break up the migrant workers there. The reason for wanting to get into the camp is the attempt to keep the workers from banding together and attracting to may others to any sort of stand against the Californians.
I think that Ma Joad is going to have to go through the most rigorous emotional trials before the book is over. Family means everything to her and she has already lost so many family members. The Woody Guthrie song already told us how Tom is going to have to run away in the end and I expect their will be hardship with the rest of the family members as well, and Ma will have to suffer through all of it because she has sent herself up as the support network of the family. When something bad happens to anyone in the group it always finds its way back to Ma. For example, when Rose of Sharon was upset over what the religious nut was saying to her, she went strait to Ma and complained to her about it. Because Ma cares so much about her family, she got very upset and almost ended up attacking the woman who was harassing her daughter.
P.S. Could you please post your blog questions the same day you assign them. Its extremely initiating to have to constantly check the blog all weekend only to have the assignment appear just a few hours before its due.
The reoccurring theme in Chapters 22-24 is the theory that there is greater power in numbers. This theory holds true to many things in history including politics, economics, and in this case, social uprisings. The unity of the migrate workers of the Weedpatch camp illustrates major threat to the landowners and the economic and social ladder on which they prosper. It is then that the farmers realize that with some organization and their strong numbers, it would be easy to rebel. Also demonstrating this concept of “strength in numbers” is the story about the rubber workers and their march through town. The march was a success, for the townspeople and the mountain men/ rubber workers remained peaceful ever since.
I agree with Locke in saying that Ma will experience the greatest emotional journey. She is the source of strength and unconditional love. Because Pa Joad suffers to be an effective leader and provider, this journey has weakened him, and given Ma the chance to move into the paternal position. Ma has to guide and reassure the family that they made the right decision in leaving Oklahoma. Ma faces the camp’s Ladies Committee, helps Rose of Sharon overcome the sudden absence of Connie, and even remains hopeful as the men return having found only a single job for Tom. In my opinion, Ma is one of the strongest characters and has maintained the same goal and personality since leaving their withered farm.
Over the last few chapters it has become more obvious that Steinbeck has made countless efforts in foreshadowing major conflict. To do so, it seems that he has set up the setting as representation of the theme of power. For example, as of right now in the story, the Joad family has come across the Weedpatch camp, a camp that is more of a haven for migrants rather than a government camp led by corrupt officers. In my opinion one example that is broader in the representation of Steinbeck’s theory of “power is greater in numbers”, is the pure existence of the Weedpatch camp. If it weren’t for the coming together of a large group of migrants, then there would have been no willingness to fight for a better camp, a safer camp for others to live in. Another example to support Steinbeck’s theory is the coming together of both the migrants and Tom’s employer against the Farmers association. Once Thomas informs Tom and the Wallace’s of the potential riot that is set to start on Saturday in the camp, the men make there major effort in going back to camp and informing the rest. Then, that night with the protection and the monitoring coming from twenty of the camps inhabitants they spot the potential rioters, throw them out and get to the bottom of what the rioters were doing there and who they had been hired by. I believe that this situation proves that “power is greater in numbers”.
In my opinion, I completely agree with Locke, in that Ma Joad is going to experience the greatest emotional journey. Reason being that Ma has always had the reputation for being the “strongest” and most emotionally stable of the family, and I think that with what is to be looked forward to in the book, through conflict Ma is going to have to come with the realistic terms of her emotion. As time wears on, the more conflict that is brought to her by her different family members and even community members she is going to slowly break down.
References and forshadowing toward the importance in numbers has become more frequent in the past chapters. The fear the local people have toward the migrating families seems to reflect the knowledge that with these numbers comes potential danger. In chapter 22 a rumor that the government camp is to be destroyed is brought up which Tom questions. Wilkie his new companion explains that the fear is that the migrants will organize themselves and ban together. This clearly displays the potential power that a large group holds. As the book goes on chapter 24 brings an empowering message to Tom. The dance though threatened is saved as conflict is managed using organization and communication within a large group. As the story goes on I believe that group organization will be an important theme.
The circumstances and events that has arose so far have affected each family member however post recently it would seem that Rose of Sharon is most affected. With a baby on the way she is incredibly vulnerable and the journey though difficult for all in my opinion would be hardest for her. Connie has left and though she is optimistic he is not coming back this has changed her entire plan pushing her in a completely different direction. Rose of Sharon in the past few chapters has been depressed her life has become a mystery and she is unsure of what lies ahead her journey will ultimately be to accept this. In regards to the common though that ma will go through the greatest journey I personally feel her journey is ongoing and is more a path than a journey. Ma is and most likely always will be the staple of the family she is the root which grounds them. This role means that although she may change it is more important for her to stay grounded and logical making an emotional journey seem to be to much for her at this time. Ma is strong and the idea of her breaking down anytime soon is illogical her drive to see her family succeed is to much to let that happen.
Last week in class we shared a discussion on the Weedpatch camp and the possible foreshadowing that comes along with an experience that may be “too good to be true” for the Joad family. The Weedpatch group is organized, friendly, and extremely resourceful in the challenging times that face its migrant-worker community. However, just as the landowners are attempting to avoid, the Weedpatch’s organization seems to be reaching new levels. The migrant families within the camp have come together to form their own sort of governmental system, and in their communal ways, have implied that they may be in favor of trying to change things in the farming community as a group. Similarly, we see foreshadowing with “greater power in numbers” when Tom Joad goes to work with the Wallace men, and is confronted by the farmer. The four men share a conversation about the decrease in wages, which spurs talk of riots and an organized fight to take place within the camp. Although the rioters were removed from the scene before any trouble was caused, Steinbeck’s use of this close call, provides a good look at just how important the idea of “greater power in numbers” truly is, within the story.
Through out the story, we have seen several of the Joad family members come into conflict, with themselves or each other. One character, however, has remained strong-willed against adversity, and retains a greater wisdom and knowledge than any other family member. Young Tom Joad has known throughout the entire journey that his family has weak odds at becoming successful and finding work, but he has never once faltered in his dedication to getting them to California. It would be understandable to say that Ma would undergo the greatest emotional journey; I do believe that she has been, and will continue to be, an extremely important character. However, just as the story begins with Tom, I know it will end with him as a changed man. Whether he will be changed for the better or worse is yet to be known, and arguable I am sure, but Tom Joad has already grown in many ways and might very well become the most emotionally-connected character within the book.
I think Ma or Tom is experiencing the greatest emotional journey because Ma was first the person who just did it and hadn’t really a opinion about what they going to do as long as the family stays together. When the family started to split Ma gets sad, said her opinion and tried to get the family together. That is was is the most important to me. She changed from the quite Ma to a person who is giving the best for the family. Tom was in the beginning split up from his family for a while and was kind of scared to go back because he didn’t know who they reacted. He also just lived in the moment. Over the time he changed, he is working for the family, thinks about the future and how he can do it better for his family.
Steinbeck has made it clear trough out his novel time and time again that there is strength in numbers. The story about the rubble workers is some extreme foreshadowing when it comes to strength in numbers. The story show that once organized what power the migrants would have over the farmers. The farmers have come to this realization there for oppressing the migrants so that they do not become greedy and so they do not start pushing for more then they deserve. Everyone is looking for the same thing. The rubble workers where just looking for economic stability and the respect they deserved. (just first part)
The Weedpatch camp is also a great example of a group of people banning together. Here they govern themselves they are no corrupt cops controlling every single aspect of the camp. The camp is so much nicer and the setting of it is so much easier to intake because of the freedom and the good sprit of all the people that are inhabiting it.
The character the I feel like is going to make the greatest emotional journey has to be Tom Joad. Tom use to be all about the here and now, he never looked into the future he only lived in the present. He found that if you looked into the future what you saw never seemed to be good. He had great reason to feel this way after returning home and finding his house abandoned and him life turned upside down. Now Tom is taking on more responsibility because of how much he cares about him family and his fellow migrants. Tom is looking into the future to see its possibilities. You can just feel the burden lifted of Toms back, he now has a good job his family has a good place to stay and everyone’s luck seems to have turned around. I would also like to add the Ma Joad is talking on a new emotional role as well. Pa Joad has pretty much become a lost cause so Ma Joad has stepped up to take on the role as man of the house. Ma has now become the leader, the person to make big decision of the Joad family.
I have noticed in this book that the author is very clever in making subtle foresights unto the events that eventually happen in the plot. Whether it is a character’s emotional experience or a collaborative conversation between other characters, there is always a small hint of what is to come available in the text with some careful combing. In this case, it is the discussions that the Joad family has with other families that hints to me that there will be a rising up of the migrants at some point. As the Joads continue their journey, they seem to encounter more and more people who have common ideals about life in California. This ideal is that banding together as migrants can help them achieve what they sought in California initially. For example, when the Joads arrive at the government camp, Tom goes out and finds work with some neighboring campers. While on his work excursion, he gets to talking with some of the other men. They discuss how they would like to revolt against the poor labor availability and the misbalance of power between property owners and workers. They talk about banding together, and about how they could achieve anything if they became vengeful and collaborated. This makes the notion of power in numbers very real and relatable in the story. It seems that the balloon of migrant patience is beginning to reach it’s breaking point, and when it bursts, so will the current labor structure installations in California. I expect a revolt, and I have had every sign come to me to prove this hypothesis.
ReplyDeleteCharacters keep shifting focus in the perspective of the reader. Where Tom and Al and others took the primary emphasis before, I think it is time for other characters to emerge and take a more major role in the story. Such is the case of Rose of Sharon. All along the journey before, she and her husband Connie were very idle, and did not play a very important part in how the story took shape. But now with Connie out of the picture, Rose of Sharon seems to be experiencing more emotional changes. She is finally becoming an active character in the plot. Since her baby is getting closer and closer to the inevitable birth, which will be a major event, she is emerging and progressing as a character. Some foresight for this is her new job as a Nursery worker in the government camp. I think that she will finally come to terms with her motherhood and become much more mature and grown up through this experience. Before, she has been much of a child, and relied most on Ma for advice and direction in her life decisions. She is going to have to learn how to take care of herself, and that will be her emotional conquest. Maturing and evolving into a woman will be entailed in her emotional journey. It will be an interesting period in the story.
Within chapters 22-24 of the novel the two strongest suggestions regarding “the power of numbers” both occur while Tom is working with the men who secure him a job during his first day at the campsite. The first example is when the farmer tells the men that he must pay them five cents and hour less, in an attempt to appease the more influential and prosperous farmers in the area. These large land owners are afraid that if they do not present a united front to the migrant workers than these workers might start expecting more from their employers. Secondly, when the same small farmer tells Tom and his new friends to be careful at the next camp dance, his reasons speak much to the power of numbers. According to the farmer who hired Tom, some of the bigger land owners are planning to stage a fight so that they can send police into the camp and break up the migrant workers there. The reason for wanting to get into the camp is the attempt to keep the workers from banding together and attracting to may others to any sort of stand against the Californians.
ReplyDeleteI think that Ma Joad is going to have to go through the most rigorous emotional trials before the book is over. Family means everything to her and she has already lost so many family members. The Woody Guthrie song already told us how Tom is going to have to run away in the end and I expect their will be hardship with the rest of the family members as well, and Ma will have to suffer through all of it because she has sent herself up as the support network of the family. When something bad happens to anyone in the group it always finds its way back to Ma. For example, when Rose of Sharon was upset over what the religious nut was saying to her, she went strait to Ma and complained to her about it. Because Ma cares so much about her family, she got very upset and almost ended up attacking the woman who was harassing her daughter.
P.S. Could you please post your blog questions the same day you assign them. Its extremely initiating to have to constantly check the blog all weekend only to have the assignment appear just a few hours before its due.
The reoccurring theme in Chapters 22-24 is the theory that there is greater power in numbers. This theory holds true to many things in history including politics, economics, and in this case, social uprisings. The unity of the migrate workers of the Weedpatch camp illustrates major threat to the landowners and the economic and social ladder on which they prosper. It is then that the farmers realize that with some organization and their strong numbers, it would be easy to rebel. Also demonstrating this concept of “strength in numbers” is the story about the rubber workers and their march through town. The march was a success, for the townspeople and the mountain men/ rubber workers remained peaceful ever since.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Locke in saying that Ma will experience the greatest emotional journey. She is the source of strength and unconditional love. Because Pa Joad suffers to be an effective leader and provider, this journey has weakened him, and given Ma the chance to move into the paternal position. Ma has to guide and reassure the family that they made the right decision in leaving Oklahoma. Ma faces the camp’s Ladies Committee, helps Rose of Sharon overcome the sudden absence of Connie, and even remains hopeful as the men return having found only a single job for Tom. In my opinion, Ma is one of the strongest characters and has maintained the same goal and personality since leaving their withered farm.
Over the last few chapters it has become more obvious that Steinbeck has made countless efforts in foreshadowing major conflict. To do so, it seems that he has set up the setting as representation of the theme of power. For example, as of right now in the story, the Joad family has come across the Weedpatch camp, a camp that is more of a haven for migrants rather than a government camp led by corrupt officers. In my opinion one example that is broader in the representation of Steinbeck’s theory of “power is greater in numbers”, is the pure existence of the Weedpatch camp. If it weren’t for the coming together of a large group of migrants, then there would have been no willingness to fight for a better camp, a safer camp for others to live in. Another example to support Steinbeck’s theory is the coming together of both the migrants and Tom’s employer against the Farmers association. Once Thomas informs Tom and the Wallace’s of the potential riot that is set to start on Saturday in the camp, the men make there major effort in going back to camp and informing the rest. Then, that night with the protection and the monitoring coming from twenty of the camps inhabitants they spot the potential rioters, throw them out and get to the bottom of what the rioters were doing there and who they had been hired by. I believe that this situation proves that “power is greater in numbers”.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, I completely agree with Locke, in that Ma Joad is going to experience the greatest emotional journey. Reason being that Ma has always had the reputation for being the “strongest” and most emotionally stable of the family, and I think that with what is to be looked forward to in the book, through conflict Ma is going to have to come with the realistic terms of her emotion. As time wears on, the more conflict that is brought to her by her different family members and even community members she is going to slowly break down.
References and forshadowing toward the importance in numbers has become more frequent in the past chapters. The fear the local people have toward the migrating families seems to reflect the knowledge that with these numbers comes potential danger. In chapter 22 a rumor that the government camp is to be destroyed is brought up which Tom questions. Wilkie his new companion explains that the fear is that the migrants will organize themselves and ban together. This clearly displays the potential power that a large group holds. As the book goes on chapter 24 brings an empowering message to Tom. The dance though threatened is saved as conflict is managed using organization and communication within a large group. As the story goes on I believe that group organization will be an important theme.
ReplyDeleteThe circumstances and events that has arose so far have affected each family member however post recently it would seem that Rose of Sharon is most affected. With a baby on the way she is incredibly vulnerable and the journey though difficult for all in my opinion would be hardest for her. Connie has left and though she is optimistic he is not coming back this has changed her entire plan pushing her in a completely different direction. Rose of Sharon in the past few chapters has been depressed her life has become a mystery and she is unsure of what lies ahead her journey will ultimately be to accept this. In regards to the common though that ma will go through the greatest journey I personally feel her journey is ongoing and is more a path than a journey. Ma is and most likely always will be the staple of the family she is the root which grounds them. This role means that although she may change it is more important for her to stay grounded and logical making an emotional journey seem to be to much for her at this time. Ma is strong and the idea of her breaking down anytime soon is illogical her drive to see her family succeed is to much to let that happen.
Last week in class we shared a discussion on the Weedpatch camp and the possible foreshadowing that comes along with an experience that may be “too good to be true” for the Joad family. The Weedpatch group is organized, friendly, and extremely resourceful in the challenging times that face its migrant-worker community. However, just as the landowners are attempting to avoid, the Weedpatch’s organization seems to be reaching new levels. The migrant families within the camp have come together to form their own sort of governmental system, and in their communal ways, have implied that they may be in favor of trying to change things in the farming community as a group. Similarly, we see foreshadowing with “greater power in numbers” when Tom Joad goes to work with the Wallace men, and is confronted by the farmer. The four men share a conversation about the decrease in wages, which spurs talk of riots and an organized fight to take place within the camp. Although the rioters were removed from the scene before any trouble was caused, Steinbeck’s use of this close call, provides a good look at just how important the idea of “greater power in numbers” truly is, within the story.
ReplyDeleteThrough out the story, we have seen several of the Joad family members come into conflict, with themselves or each other. One character, however, has remained strong-willed against adversity, and retains a greater wisdom and knowledge than any other family member. Young Tom Joad has known throughout the entire journey that his family has weak odds at becoming successful and finding work, but he has never once faltered in his dedication to getting them to California. It would be understandable to say that Ma would undergo the greatest emotional journey; I do believe that she has been, and will continue to be, an extremely important character. However, just as the story begins with Tom, I know it will end with him as a changed man. Whether he will be changed for the better or worse is yet to be known, and arguable I am sure, but Tom Joad has already grown in many ways and might very well become the most emotionally-connected character within the book.
I think Ma or Tom is experiencing the greatest emotional journey because Ma was first the person who just did it and hadn’t really a opinion about what they going to do as long as the family stays together. When the family started to split Ma gets sad, said her opinion and tried to get the family together. That is was is the most important to me. She changed from the quite Ma to a person who is giving the best for the family.
ReplyDeleteTom was in the beginning split up from his family for a while and was kind of scared to go back because he didn’t know who they reacted. He also just lived in the moment. Over the time he changed, he is working for the family, thinks about the future and how he can do it better for his family.
Steinbeck has made it clear trough out his novel time and time again that there is strength in numbers. The story about the rubble workers is some extreme foreshadowing when it comes to strength in numbers. The story show that once organized what power the migrants would have over the farmers. The farmers have come to this realization there for oppressing the migrants so that they do not become greedy and so they do not start pushing for more then they deserve. Everyone is looking for the same thing. The rubble workers where just looking for economic stability and the respect they deserved.
ReplyDelete(just first part)
The Weedpatch camp is also a great example of a group of people banning together. Here they govern themselves they are no corrupt cops controlling every single aspect of the camp. The camp is so much nicer and the setting of it is so much easier to intake because of the freedom and the good sprit of all the people that are inhabiting it.
ReplyDeleteThe character the I feel like is going to make the greatest emotional journey has to be Tom Joad. Tom use to be all about the here and now, he never looked into the future he only lived in the present. He found that if you looked into the future what you saw never seemed to be good. He had great reason to feel this way after returning home and finding his house abandoned and him life turned upside down. Now Tom is taking on more responsibility because of how much he cares about him family and his fellow migrants. Tom is looking into the future to see its possibilities. You can just feel the burden lifted of Toms back, he now has a good job his family has a good place to stay and everyone’s luck seems to have turned around. I would also like to add the Ma Joad is talking on a new emotional role as well. Pa Joad has pretty much become a lost cause so Ma Joad has stepped up to take on the role as man of the house. Ma has now become the leader, the person to make big decision of the Joad family.