Travel Journal Letter C: Theme Poem Ch. 16-19

The two themes that I've focused my poem on is hunger and fear. The reason I chose these two themes was because from my point of view the Joad's and migrant farmer's journey suffer from fear and lack of food. They have fear in the unknown, which in this case is California. The family's knowledge of California is that there will be jobs to give them enough profit to get food and other necessities. Along the way they don't have enough food to keep themselves well nourished and they tend to starve. Fortunately, from time to time they're able to get food from others traveling to California. But, while on their journey many migrants are turning back from California because there weren't any jobs they had hoped for. Since the Joads have hope in California they don't see the actual possibilities that can come in the near future. Their American Dream is so close into reach that they tend to brush off the hidden truth, which is that California might not be as great as they thought it would be. 

When we travel down to the West 

We don't like to be pests

Even though we don't have food 

Were not snobby and rude

One day we'll make it to this green land 

We'll have to work hard until we have sore hands

We need food to eat so we share

But sometimes we get in despair

Were migrant farmers thinking were on the right path
We travel all day long 

But in the end where do we all really belong?

*Travel Journal Letter D: Family and Unity Ch. 16-19

"In the evening a strange thing happened: the twenty families became one family, the children were the children of all. The loss of home became one loss, and the golden time in the West was one dream." (193)

The idea of family and unity is heavily expressed throughout chapter 17 with the idea that when you become one as a community you are stronger. Just like as "twenty families became one family", meaning that the migrants all share the same dream by going to California, making it easier to join as one and become closer together.

Before, while the Joads were making there way westward towards California, they all had the same vision which was creating a new and better life in California. They all had the idea that California would give them better advantages at supporting there entire family and having better opportunities for jobs. The Joads all decided to not leave each other because they felt that sticking together would make them stronger as a whole. If they stuck together than they would be more likely to strive farther and survive. After, when embarking on their journey their views on the idea of sticking together and continuing to go forward change drastically. Instead of sticking together as they had originally planned, some of the Joads decide it is better to go separate ways along the journey or once they arrive to California. By doing this it could weaken them and lead them into not having a good support system because the lack of having each other around. This could also lead into less financial stability because there will be a lack of people working in the house to provide for everyone. All of the Joads don't seem to let this bother them with the fact of everyone wanting to leave. The only one who gets bothered by everyone slowly leaving is Ma Joad because she wants the family to stick together and be close like they always have. When you stick together you can accomplish more, rather than fending for yourself.

*Travel Journal Letter D: Identify a Touching Quote Ch. 11-15

"Movin' 'cause they got to. That's why folks always move. Movin' 'cause they want somepin better'n what they got. An that's the on'y way they'll ever get it. Wantin' it an' needin' it, they'll go out an' git it." (128)

This quote has given me a better view of what the people during the Great Depression went through. Majority of people move because they feel they can have better lives in the future. This made me remember when my dad used to live in Manteca; closer to me. Eventually, he had to move because his job was transferred to Sacramento, which instead of an hour difference from here, it's a two hour drive. He either had to move or lose his job. In result of this our "father daughter relationship" weakened from there. This opened my eyes to how unfair it is considering that he had to leave family and go continue on with his life and career just to have a well paying job. But sometimes in order to survive you need to make these types of decisions. Unfortunately, that's how a lot of people are now, they decide to leave a home or place that they've been in there whole lives just for a certain job. I feel that that's a really hard decision to make, but a lot of people surprisingly would rather leave their own family than lose their job and their potential future. They try there best to succeed in what they do for a living so that they can not only give themselves a better life but provide for their families. Then there's people who can't find jobs here because of the economy and it's even hard to get one resulting in not having a job at all. Connecting all of this made me realize that even though the Great Depression happened in the 1930s people are faced with the same type of situations even today.

Travel Journal Letter B: Highway 66 Ch. 11-15

Highway 66 or otherwise known to John Steinbeck as the "Mother Road", started in Chicago which ran through Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and ended in Los Angeles during the time of the Great Depression. Many farmers and their families used this long extended road to escape from the harsh times of the Dust Bowl and move into the green land of California. The severe droughts which caused bad dust storms resulted into not properly being able to landscape the crops. Farmers got worried and decided to move westward into California believing that they would get better jobs and homes for them and their families.

For the people who had small businesses along this road had great advantages and made profit when the highway became more popular. During this time there was a high demand for automobiles which triggered problems for the migrants because a lot of the cars weren't running properly due to the cars not being built correctly.

The reason this route is so significant to the Joads and all migrants is because it gives them great advantages to get to California. They are able to travel in a shorter amount of time through eight states instead of taking a much longer route. Also because of this short time advantage many shops opened up to give all families traveling supplies to fulfill there needs.







Research:
Route 66 History
Route 66: Dust Bowl
Route 66: A Brief History

Travel Journal Letter H: Passage Including Repetition Ch. 1-10

"When the night came again it was black night, for the stars could not pierce the dust to get down, and the window lights could not even spread beyond their own yards. Now the dust was evenly mixed with the air, an emulsion of dust and air. Houses were shut tight, and cloth wedged around doors and windows, but the dust came in so thinly that it could not be seen in the air, and it settled like pollen on the chairs and tables, on the dishes. The people brushed it from their shoulders. Little lines of dust lay at the door sills." (3)

The repeated words throughout this passage that are used are "dust" and "air". From my knowledge and research, this contributes to the time period when the severe dust storms took place, known as the Dust Bowl. This repetition is used to describe the harsh conditions that were endured by the farmers and their land. The wind and storms were so powerful that not only did it destroy the lands of farmers, but it also got into their homes and covered furniture with dust. Dust would heavily fill the air and it would be hard for people to breathe because of the pollution. People during the Dust Bowl knew what challenges they had to undergo the next time a dust storm would come around because of how frequently it would happen.

Travel Journal Letter B: Oklahoma Postcard Ch. 1-10

 There are many symbols that represent the state of Oklahoma. Postcards were used as one way to display these main symbols.

On this postcard to the right, the blue flag is the Oklahoma state flag. Right on top of the flag is a gold shield which has an olive branch and pipe, both of these symbolize peace. There seal is the great seal of Oklahoma, the star has five points and each point has one of the five civilized tribes. Many famous landmarks in Oklahoma such as the Oklahoma State Capitol are found throughout the state. Just recently the state capitol got a dome added onto it after years of financial trouble. Some of Oklahoma's state animals are the Buffalo(Bison) and there state bird is the Scissor-tailed Flycatcher. The state has even adopted their own fruit which is the watermelon. Also, shown on this flag is the state's flower which is the beautiful Oklahoma rose. This state has plenty of unique symbols that make up Oklahoma, but these are just a few that are the main ones that caught my attention.

Dear great state of Oklahoma,

This is hard for me to say but unfortunately it's my time to go. I've finally gotten out of jail by doing my time and paying my way. I've traveled in search of my family that I've missed so dearly and I'm joining them to move westward to the great land of California. Oklahoma has been good to both me and my family in the past, but we need to have better lives. In California we're able to start new, get well paying jobs, and live on new land. Bye Oklahoma, hopefully one day I'll be able to come back and visit this dusty land once again.

Sincerely,
Your Friend Joad

Research:
Oklahoma Symbols
List of Symbols

Picture:
Oklahoma Postcard

*Travel Journal Letter A: Research On The 1930s Ch. 1-10

During the 1930s the major event that impacted the Great Depression was the Dust Bowl. From the powerful dust storms wrecking poor innocent families farms, this lead to a conflict with the farming industry. The regions where mainly all of the dust storms took place at were the dry lands of Oklahoma, Colorado, Kansas, and Texas. Later from the loss of rain, a drought occurred. The drought lead to winds picking up  dirt and sand which soon moved throughout the whole entire country. This caused farmers and their land to get destroyed and taken over by shovel loads of dust. All of the dust got heavily caked onto the farmer's crops that unfortunately lead to the farmland being destroyed. Not only were the dust storms harmful to the farmlands but they were also harmful to the people. The winds were so strong and fast that when the dirt and sand would hit people it would be painful to the skin. People in the 1930s dealt with these horrible dust storms on a daily basis and were ready for them in advance. Even though they knew what was coming they still could not protect their homes from being covered inside and out with piles of dust. It not only destroyed their land and homes but it destroyed their entire lives which lead them to make drastic measures such as moving westward into California.

Pictures:
Young Child
Dust Storm

Research:
The Dust Bowl of the 1930s
When the Dust Settled

Travel Journal Letter F: Themes Developing In The Novel Ch. 1-10

"Thought so. I seen your hands. Been swingin' a pick or an ax or a sledge. That shines up your hands. I notice all stuff like that. Take pride in it." (9)

This quote relates to the theme pride. Most workers during the Great Depression lost their jobs because of the economy failing. Since this event happened it took longer for people to find  a job. Also, there was a high demand for jobs making it hard for people to find one.This theme of pride comes into play so far in the novel because of Joad hiding his life and the fact that he has a job. The truck driver reminds him that he should "Take pride in it." because most people in that time period had a difficult time obtaining a job to survive and take car of their own families.

"Well, they been choppin' cotton, all of 'em, even the kids an' your grampa. Gettin' money together so they can shove on west." (46)

This quote relates to the themes community and family. The Great Depression caused farmers and there families to all work, especially after bank failures. Dust storms also destroyed farms and families decided to move west to recreate their lives and find jobs. The themes of community and family are shown throughout the novel so far by Joad finding out his family are working hard to move westward because the bank took over his father's farm. Community and family play a huge role because families, even children worked just to get enough money so that they were able to live and get by.