Chapter 17: Touching

Out of all the chapters I have read so far in The Grapes of Wrath, (all 17 of them)chapter seventeen has been my favorite. I was reading by the fireplace in our cabin, and with the peaceful atmosphere I was in plus the chapter's overall message just made me really enjoy the chapter.

I found the chapter touching and different than the previous chapters I have read. This chapter had to do with the "togetherness" of the many families traveling along Route 66. I thought it was neat how the families bonded and went through different joys and sorrows together as "one giant family."

If a baby was being born, everyone waited in anticipation. When the baby was born, everyone cheered and showered the new parents with gifts. However, if a baby died, money was placed on the doorstep of the deceased baby's family to help pay for the burial. But if the death was that of an elderly person, they were buried illegally in a field because they had lived a good life. A baby had not been given the chance to live and its funeral was all the baby had left in this world.

If someone had a guitar, the owner of the guitar played for everyone present at the campsite whether they liked the music or not. In addition, people staying at the campsite shared their experiences, offered advice, and formed bonds over the course of the night. Boundaries were established and friendships were made as well. Everyone, like I said, treated each other like family, and as one of their own. Although they sometimes did not get along, the travelers found something in common and became friends for the night.

I think that the thing I liked most about this chapter was it was different than previous chapters. This chapter was actually fun to read and easy to understand. The chapter was not depressing. Instead it gave insight to how the people traveling came together in their time of need and helped each other out, even if it was for only one night. I thought it was neat, because bonding like those travelers did is not often seen in today's society. But then again, there are not large masses of people moving to the same place like I have said previously. So I just enjoyed reading this "ray of sunshine" chapter amidst the depression of the migration and the Joad family.