Family x Unity
When the Joad family embarked on their journey to California for a better life, they have to face many struggles due to their horrible-conditioned car and lack of supplies. On the road, some people who were on the car such as Grampa and Granma are getting sicker everyday and they were also too weak to continue on with the entire group. The entire group continues on their journey which they constantly have to make sacrifices such as their possession in order to be able to afford the necessities to survive. Ma Joad is the one who is very worried about her family's well-being.
“What we got lef’ in the world? Nothin’ but us. Nothing but folks. We come out an Grandpa, he reached for the shovel-shelf right off. An’ you wanna bust up the folks”
This quote shows Ma Joad's concern about her family when everyone started to separate and find their own way to survive. Ma Joad feels like she does not have anything left except her family. The family has lost a lt during the journey and they keep on losing more. This makes them realizes how important each member in the family is and how it is significant for the family to stay together to overcome the challenges and make a stronger family. Ma feels that with everything they lost, there family should not have another loss. They have has a huge loss when they have to leave the land where they were born and worked in and their memories. Their family is the only thing that they have left and the only thing that they will have in California where they restart their lives in a whole new place.
Sunday, March 23, 2014
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
The Grapes of Wrath Travel Journal Ch 16-19 (C)
Their homes = Their farms
After the tenant farmers leave their farm, they still have regret/ worried and deep memories about their un-farmered farms when sharing their stories with the rest in the group of the migrants. In Chapter 17, the theme is about the memories and the worries that the farmers have after leaving their farms barren. My poem will explore the idea of the remembrance of the farmers to their own un-farmered farms. This is in a farmer's point of view to their barren farm.
The moment that I left you
As the road and time passed by
I miss you more and even more
I spoke softly about you to my friends
About how you were a little cool house
That used to keep the milk clean and fresh
Also the watermelons that I kept in there
On a hot sunny midday
You were still as cool as always how you'd want
She was so cool, she was so cool.
Some tragedies happened to you
Dust Bowl, God damn you
It destroyed our precious land
It forced us farmers out of our precious farm
Even though tragedies always happened there
Never as damaging as this time
I have to afford for my family
By moving West for a better life
Even though I left you
You are always in my heart.
Monday, March 17, 2014
The Grapes of Wrath Travel Journal Ch 11-15 (D) *
Impacted Quote
"No I ain't. You can't do that. I can't do that. It's too much-livin' too many lives. Up ahaed they's a thousan' lives we might live, but when it comes, it'll on'y be one. If I go ahead on all of 'em, it's too much. You got to live ahead 'cause you're so young, but-it's jus' the road goin' by for me." (124)
This quote closely connects to me because I have been in kind of the same situation when me and my family moved from Vietnam to the US. Our goal for migrating is the same as the Joad family's because we decided to move to the US for a better life and future. At first I was really excited about moving but as the days come closer, I started to feel worried about how am I going to fit in a new place and lifestyle that I have never seen and experienced. I feel connected to Tom Joad when he sees Ma Joad worries about how to live their lives in an unknown place just like how my mom also told me before moving. We were all excited yet worried to start a new life together in a place that we have never been to. When I first came to the US, I could not get used to most things because I was so used to the lifestyle in Vietnam which is a complete opposite to the US. At first I also felt as if I was living two lives because I was trying to leave behind one place and moving on to another which was tough for me because Vietnam was where I was born and raised for a long period of time while moving on and learned new things that I have never get to experience. Ma Joad has the same concern as my mom's when she told me that it would be alright for me to fit in new things because I am still young. On the other hand, my parents made the decision to move for me and my future even if it means that they have to give up everything they had before. They have to work the hardest in order to afford for me. The Joad family and my family are connected in ways that we moved for the land of opportunity in hope for a better life.
"No I ain't. You can't do that. I can't do that. It's too much-livin' too many lives. Up ahaed they's a thousan' lives we might live, but when it comes, it'll on'y be one. If I go ahead on all of 'em, it's too much. You got to live ahead 'cause you're so young, but-it's jus' the road goin' by for me." (124)
This quote closely connects to me because I have been in kind of the same situation when me and my family moved from Vietnam to the US. Our goal for migrating is the same as the Joad family's because we decided to move to the US for a better life and future. At first I was really excited about moving but as the days come closer, I started to feel worried about how am I going to fit in a new place and lifestyle that I have never seen and experienced. I feel connected to Tom Joad when he sees Ma Joad worries about how to live their lives in an unknown place just like how my mom also told me before moving. We were all excited yet worried to start a new life together in a place that we have never been to. When I first came to the US, I could not get used to most things because I was so used to the lifestyle in Vietnam which is a complete opposite to the US. At first I also felt as if I was living two lives because I was trying to leave behind one place and moving on to another which was tough for me because Vietnam was where I was born and raised for a long period of time while moving on and learned new things that I have never get to experience. Ma Joad has the same concern as my mom's when she told me that it would be alright for me to fit in new things because I am still young. On the other hand, my parents made the decision to move for me and my future even if it means that they have to give up everything they had before. They have to work the hardest in order to afford for me. The Joad family and my family are connected in ways that we moved for the land of opportunity in hope for a better life.
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
The Grapes of Wrath Travel Journal Ch 11-15 (B)
Highway 66
During the great depression in the 1930s, Highway 66, also known as Will Rogers Highway was the road which connected from the eastern part of the U.S to California. It was established in November 11,1926. It is 2,451 miles in total length. It was a major path for those who migrated to the west. It supported the economy of the cities which the migrants passed because they were constantly in need for supplies to continue their way to California for a better life. Travelers saw the Highway 66 a symbolism of independence, freedom and opportunities. The migrants were depended on businesses such as automobile and tire manufacturers, oil refiners, gas station,... for support along the road. Route 66 helped to mobilize wartime manpower in the history of the nation. Many small businesses along Highway 66 prospered due to large numbers of people migrating to the California.
During the great depression in the 1930s, Highway 66, also known as Will Rogers Highway was the road which connected from the eastern part of the U.S to California. It was established in November 11,1926. It is 2,451 miles in total length. It was a major path for those who migrated to the west. It supported the economy of the cities which the migrants passed because they were constantly in need for supplies to continue their way to California for a better life. Travelers saw the Highway 66 a symbolism of independence, freedom and opportunities. The migrants were depended on businesses such as automobile and tire manufacturers, oil refiners, gas station,... for support along the road. Route 66 helped to mobilize wartime manpower in the history of the nation. Many small businesses along Highway 66 prospered due to large numbers of people migrating to the California.
Friday, March 7, 2014
The Grapes of Wrath Travel Journal Ch 1-10 (F)
Authority roles
In Chapter 5, the idea of the authority roles, especially the men who is the the one who work and make decisions for the family. Due to the Great Depression, the men had to work harder in order to take care of their family who are in great challenges everyday.
"Grampa killed Indians, Pa killed snakes for the land" (34).
This quote shows how powerful the male figures in the family is during the hard times which is the traditional family structure. The word "killed" illustrates the masculine aspects of human such as Grampa and Pa with the determination to protect his family from any harm such as financial and physical. Grampa and Pa destroy any harm away from their land which is their only economic resource that help them survive because farmers only work and make profits by improving their land.
In Chapter 4, in contrast of the protective aspect of the male figure, the desire for women or sex also appears within their thoughts. The one who has the authority such as Casy takes advantage of the girls that go to church.
"An' then-you know what I'd do? I'd take one of them girls out in the grass, an' I'd lay with her" (22).
This quote shows how Casy abuses his power for doing wrong things because of the fact that he is the authoritative male figure in the community. The power that he has is used in a wrong way where he lures the girls "out in the grass" to have sex with them which is not the right thing that the preacher should do. After realizing what he has done, he has lost all his hope and Holy Spirit because of the wrong things that he does by abusing his power.
In Chapter 5, the idea of the authority roles, especially the men who is the the one who work and make decisions for the family. Due to the Great Depression, the men had to work harder in order to take care of their family who are in great challenges everyday.
"Grampa killed Indians, Pa killed snakes for the land" (34).
This quote shows how powerful the male figures in the family is during the hard times which is the traditional family structure. The word "killed" illustrates the masculine aspects of human such as Grampa and Pa with the determination to protect his family from any harm such as financial and physical. Grampa and Pa destroy any harm away from their land which is their only economic resource that help them survive because farmers only work and make profits by improving their land.
In Chapter 4, in contrast of the protective aspect of the male figure, the desire for women or sex also appears within their thoughts. The one who has the authority such as Casy takes advantage of the girls that go to church.
"An' then-you know what I'd do? I'd take one of them girls out in the grass, an' I'd lay with her" (22).
This quote shows how Casy abuses his power for doing wrong things because of the fact that he is the authoritative male figure in the community. The power that he has is used in a wrong way where he lures the girls "out in the grass" to have sex with them which is not the right thing that the preacher should do. After realizing what he has done, he has lost all his hope and Holy Spirit because of the wrong things that he does by abusing his power.
Thursday, March 6, 2014
The Grapes of Wrath Travel Journal Ch 1-10 (E) *
Personification
The tractor
" Twelve curved iron penes erected in the foundry, orgasms set by gears, raping methodically" (36)
It shows how the tractors have the organs or enough power to consume profit and destroy the farmers' lives. The penes are parts of the human bodies. It destroyed people especially farmers' hopes because they takes over the job of the farmer so they are not able to make any profit to the extend that the tractor "rape" the farmers' jobs which put them into poverty and desperation towards life.
The bank
" Breathe profits; they eat interest on money. If they don't get it, they die the way you die without air, without side-meat." (39)
This quote shows how the bank "breath" or taking in the profit for themselves and exhale out nothing that will be benefited for the people. They also "eat" the extra money that was left without giving back to the community which is in need. Without the money, the bank will die like how a human "die without air" because they need to save themselves from going bankrupt so they constantly needs the money to loan it out to other places to make a profit.
The cotton and crops
" You know what cotton does to the land; robs it, sucks all the blood out of it" (32)
The cotton is given the human characteristic when it "robs" which is also how the cotton has done some damage on the lands by taking the healthy nutrients away from the soil. The cotton also "sucks all the blood" which is also the nutrients of soil are all given to the cotton which makes profit but it is not a source for food. Cotton crops make it difficult to grow other crops once the cotton is gone.
The tractor
" Twelve curved iron penes erected in the foundry, orgasms set by gears, raping methodically" (36)
It shows how the tractors have the organs or enough power to consume profit and destroy the farmers' lives. The penes are parts of the human bodies. It destroyed people especially farmers' hopes because they takes over the job of the farmer so they are not able to make any profit to the extend that the tractor "rape" the farmers' jobs which put them into poverty and desperation towards life.
The bank
" Breathe profits; they eat interest on money. If they don't get it, they die the way you die without air, without side-meat." (39)
This quote shows how the bank "breath" or taking in the profit for themselves and exhale out nothing that will be benefited for the people. They also "eat" the extra money that was left without giving back to the community which is in need. Without the money, the bank will die like how a human "die without air" because they need to save themselves from going bankrupt so they constantly needs the money to loan it out to other places to make a profit.
The cotton and crops
" You know what cotton does to the land; robs it, sucks all the blood out of it" (32)
The cotton is given the human characteristic when it "robs" which is also how the cotton has done some damage on the lands by taking the healthy nutrients away from the soil. The cotton also "sucks all the blood" which is also the nutrients of soil are all given to the cotton which makes profit but it is not a source for food. Cotton crops make it difficult to grow other crops once the cotton is gone.
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
The Grapes of Wrath Travel Journal Ch 1-10 (C)
"Love Letter"
Dear my beloved land,
You know that the only person that loves you the most since day one when I "being born on it, working it, dying on it." (33). I remember when "Pa had to borrow money" (33) from the bank to take care of you and me and you have been there for me since I was younger. During the period of time that I got separated from you, "the land's getting poorer" (32) because the cotton that was replaced with food crops "sucks all the blood out of it" (32). I am so sorry that I left you behind to the hand of the bank which "it's the monster" (33). "The bank isn't like a man" (33) because of what they did to you such as selling you away or making your health condition worse. The bank is so cruel because "they breathe profits; they eat the interest on money" (32) without considering about how you are being damaged and wanted to survive. Now, I cannot stay together with you anymore because "the monster owns it" (34) and "it can make men do what it wants" (34). If we stay together, it would be considered "stealing if you try to stay, [I'll] be murderers if you kill to stay" (34). We are being put in a very complicated situation right now. "Grampa killed Indians, Pa killed snakes for the land" (34). It is an everlasting relationship between my family and you by taking good care of you or even putting ourselves in danger. This time, it will be me to take care of you and fight for you "like Pa and Grampa did" (34)
Love,
The tenant farmer
Dear my beloved land,
You know that the only person that loves you the most since day one when I "being born on it, working it, dying on it." (33). I remember when "Pa had to borrow money" (33) from the bank to take care of you and me and you have been there for me since I was younger. During the period of time that I got separated from you, "the land's getting poorer" (32) because the cotton that was replaced with food crops "sucks all the blood out of it" (32). I am so sorry that I left you behind to the hand of the bank which "it's the monster" (33). "The bank isn't like a man" (33) because of what they did to you such as selling you away or making your health condition worse. The bank is so cruel because "they breathe profits; they eat the interest on money" (32) without considering about how you are being damaged and wanted to survive. Now, I cannot stay together with you anymore because "the monster owns it" (34) and "it can make men do what it wants" (34). If we stay together, it would be considered "stealing if you try to stay, [I'll] be murderers if you kill to stay" (34). We are being put in a very complicated situation right now. "Grampa killed Indians, Pa killed snakes for the land" (34). It is an everlasting relationship between my family and you by taking good care of you or even putting ourselves in danger. This time, it will be me to take care of you and fight for you "like Pa and Grampa did" (34)
Love,
The tenant farmer
Sunday, March 2, 2014
The Grapes of Wrath Travel Journal Ch 1-10 (A)
The Okie Migration
Since 1910, the Southwesterners moved west in significant numbers and started to increase dramatically during the 1930s especially in the California. During the Dust Bowl, it largely affected the life of the Oklahomans or the "Okies" to be forced out of their lands. Through the challenges, the farmers had to cope with the horrible environment and lack of resources between 1930 and 1931. About 60% of Oklahoma tenant farmers (farmers who rent farmland from the landowner) had to endure the poor crops and low prices year after year. The Agricultural Adjustment Administration's policy of paying the farmers to not raise crops resulted in landowners taking tenants' land out of production. This connects to the content in Chapter 5 in which it talks about how the banks and the landowners was unable to make high profits from tenant farming, they evict the farmers' lands. The landowners suggest that the farmers should move to California where there would be opportunities to improve their lives and escape from poverty.
This graph shows the percentage of each pre-migration occupation of California migrants from the Southwest. In the majority, the percentage of farmers and farm laborers was 43% of the groups of migration. Their lands were taken away by banks which forced them to their last resort to migrate to California in hope for a better life.
Information:
Okie Migration
About Great Depression
Images:
Twenty-first century Okies
California migration during Great Depression Graph
Since 1910, the Southwesterners moved west in significant numbers and started to increase dramatically during the 1930s especially in the California. During the Dust Bowl, it largely affected the life of the Oklahomans or the "Okies" to be forced out of their lands. Through the challenges, the farmers had to cope with the horrible environment and lack of resources between 1930 and 1931. About 60% of Oklahoma tenant farmers (farmers who rent farmland from the landowner) had to endure the poor crops and low prices year after year. The Agricultural Adjustment Administration's policy of paying the farmers to not raise crops resulted in landowners taking tenants' land out of production. This connects to the content in Chapter 5 in which it talks about how the banks and the landowners was unable to make high profits from tenant farming, they evict the farmers' lands. The landowners suggest that the farmers should move to California where there would be opportunities to improve their lives and escape from poverty.
Information:
Okie Migration
About Great Depression
Images:
Twenty-first century Okies
California migration during Great Depression Graph
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