The Grapes of Wrath Character Analysis Chart
Directions: Complete the chart to prepare for class discussions, test, & timed writing
NamePersonal/Physical qualities 2 examples of dialogue or thoughts on their role
Ma Joad
Pa Joad
Grandma Joad
Grandpa Joad
Rose of Sharon
Connie
Jim Casey
Tom Joad
Ruthie Joad
Winfield Joad
GOW: Prep for discussions, test, & writing
Directions: Complete in your AP Journal label with chapter titles & #s
Questions:
Ch 1
1. As the novel opens, what is devastating the land?
2. When the men’s faces become hard and angry and resistant, why are the women relieved?
3. What theme is exemplified in the quote from the last P of the chapter: “Women…knew deep in
themselves that no misfortune was too great to bear if their men were whole?”
4. Find examples of personification & simile in this chapter – explain them too.
Ch 2
1.What seems to be the point of devoting three entire pages, the whole chapter, to a turtle crossing the road?
2. Define theme. See if you can find a theme in the turtle vignette?
3. define: parapet
Ch 4
1. Why did Jim Casy give up being a preacher?
2. What is Jim Casy’s conclusion about love, the soul, and the Hole Spirit?
3. Describe the contrast between Jim and Tom?
4. As they near Tom’s home, what surprise awaits them?
5. If Jim Casy is a Christ –figure, what, besides his preaching , points to it?
Ch 5
What is the monster? What does it symbolize? Can you relate it to a universal theme?
Explain with reasons, examples, & details:
Ch 7
1. What is the purpose of this chapter?
2. If the small interchapters present generalizations about life and reinforce themes, what do the
larger narrative chapters represent?
3. Why do you suppose so many people go to California?
4. What do the words piker & jack mean?
Ch 18
1. Why do so many people in California hate the “Okies”?
2. What is Steinbeck’s point about the fellow with the million acres?
3. Who leaves & why?
Ch 21
This chapter is about the fear of the haves and the growing anger of the have-nots. It concludes, “And the anger began to fement.” What is the relationship between fermenting anger, and the novel’s title, The Grapes of Wrath, and the song to which the title alludes?
Explain.
Ch 25
This chapter concludes, “In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage” What is causing this great anger among the people?
Ch 27
Although the job of picking cotton is a decent job at a fair wage, even if the person has to buy a bacg, what is the drawback?
CH 28
1. Why does it become necessary for Tom to leave the family?
2. With Casy dead, it sounds as if Tom is rising up to take his place. What does he say that brings Casyto
mind?
3. What does Tom say about the government camp and farmers that makes him sound
like a revolutionary?
4. Ma asks Tome how she is going to know what has happened to him once he leaves. His response is the most famous speech in the book. What makes it such an important speech, and what change does it mark for Tom? Dig deep & explain
5. Pa says, “Woman takin’ over the family,,,an’ I don’ even care.”
What is Ma’s response?
6. What happens to Rose of Sharon on the way back from the cotton field?
CH 29
1. The rain comes and brings a big flood. The people are starving and miserable, cannot get welfare because they have not been in the state a year. However, what is the greatest?
2. What is the attitude of the townspeople toward the migrants?
3. In the next-to-last paragraph in this chapter, the women watch the men to see if they are going to remain strong or break. Where have we seen this story before? How is the effect of the weather ironic?
4. The author contrasts the treatment of farm horses and farm workers for the second time. What is the
difference?
Chapter 30
1. Why does Uncle John set the baby in the box in the creek?
2. Where does the family find shelter, and who do they find there?
3. What does the starving man need before he can keep down any food, and how does he get it?
4. In the context of this story, what does the mysterious smile in Rose Sharon’s lips seem to suggest?
5. How has Rose of Sharon changed in the course of the story?