"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.
Work more with the quote that you put at the beginning of this entry.
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