Up to Chapter 7 Assessment/Interpretation

I am currently on chapter seven in The Grapes of Wrath. So far, there has been an exceptional amount of sitting and talking at Joad's old house. I found it interesting the way the banks evicted the people from their homes by just plowing the land and sometimes part of the house as well. Reading this novel has "brought me back" and reminds me of the 20th Century History class I took last year with Mrs. Crossland. We did not spend much time discussing the Dust Bowl itself, but we did talk of the Dust Bowl migration and the effect it had on America.
The dialect of Muley can be difficult to understand as well as dialog between Joad, Muley, and Jim Casy, the preacher. It is often challenging to figure out who is saying what and if he literally means what he is saying or just figuratively.
Chapter one was short and brief, but necessary. The chapter provided a background to the novel, explained the setting and time period, and gave information regarding the lack of rain and excessive amount of dust. Because of the invention of the tractor, automobile, and the lack of rain, a lot of dust was produced. The dust covered Oklahoma like fog, making breathing while outdoors difficult. I did not realize just how much dust there was until I read chapter one.
Although The Grapes of Wrath is supposed to be a fictional story, I would classify it as historical fiction at the moment. Even though I am only on chapter seven and have twenty-three chapters to go, (not that I am counting or anything) I can already tell the author, Steinbeck, lived during this time by the descriptions he gives of the landscape, and the minor details. The characters so far have added to the novel itself, as Joad is the main character at the moment.
One last interpretation I would like to assess is that of the turtle. Chapter three is three pages long, going into detail about a turtle. Joad eventually picks up the turtle, saying he is going to give it to one of his siblings because, "everyone needs a turtle." However, when he arrives to his old home and finds it abandoned, he allows the turtle to escape. Therefore, I am wondering if the turtle is supposed to display some type of symbolism, or if Steinbeck had a pet turtle he cared about as a kid and put it in his novel. It is difficult to say at this point, so I will continue reading to see if the turtle re-emerges.
Aside from the confusing dialog, the novel has been enjoyable to read so far.