Chapters 10 – 15

Summary

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.

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.

Interpretation

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 chapters also illustrate the plight of the migrant farmer and how they are viewed by others on Route 66.