The Grapes of Wrath Chapter 8

Chapter 8

Casy and Tom leave for Uncle John's house early in the morning. While walking, Tom tells Casy about Uncle john on their walk. He tells him that he was married once but then his wife ad a stomach ache and he said that she was fine, but then she died of appendicitis and he blamed himself for it for years. Then they approach Uncle John’s house and they see that they are getting ready to head west. Then Tom surprises Pa and they plan a surprise on Ma who is cooking breakfast. Both the parents suspect that “Tommy” broke out of jail, but he reassures them that he didn’t. Tom is angry that they have been forced from their home, but Ma cautions him that he can't fight the bank alone. She Figures that if they are all angry and they ban together, then the bank wont be able to stop them. Then they sit and eat breakfast and he is reunited with his Grandpa and Grandma. Grandma makes Casy Say Grace even though he isn’t a preacher anymore and they wont eat until he says Amen. He is also reunited with his Brother Noah who looks up to him. He learns that his younger brother, Al, is out chasing girls, and Rose of Sharon, his younger sister, is now married to Connie Rivers, she is pregnant. And the two youngest in the Joad Family, Winfield who is 10 and Ruthie who is 12, have gone to Sallisaw with Uncle John to sell a load of household belongings. Once they get everything sold they should have about $150 for their trip and they decide they will be leaving in a couple days.

Characters:

Grandpa – hilarious old man

Grandma – super religious

Noah – oldest son, an impression that he is deformed, but we don’t know how. He is quiet and not interested in anything.

Al – he is 16, out chasing girls, younger brother, the mechanic, he looks up to Tom because he killed someone and that makes him cool.

Rose of Sharon – younger, sister, pregnant, married to Connie Rivers..

Ruthie – younger sister

Winfield – Youngest Brother

Uncle John

Pa Joad

Ma Joad

Tom Joad

Jim Casy – become the first member of the extended family.

Themes:

Importance of family