Grapes Of Wrath Chapter Summary

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Chapter seven of The Grapes of Wrath begins by introducing the car dealership, as well as the salesman running the business. The dealership, while struggling through the depression, has recently begun capitalizing off of the mass migration to California due to the Dust Bowl. The owner of the dealership is well aware of the life lived by farmers, and prepares to take advantage of their lack of education in terms of automobiles. Families across the MidWest are desperate for cars to shorten their journey, just as the salesmen are desperate to keep their businesses alive. Steinbeck keeps the description of the salesmen and owner themselves vague, rather, he focuses on the owner’s dialogue, quick while consistent, showing his understanding of marketing …show more content…
As readers, it is impossible to deny their humanity and the empathy felt toward them. The cars are symbolic of the America these characters were living in at the time. Throughout the chapter, we see the salesman progressively get more anxious to not only sell cars. Jalopies, or cars in terrible condition, are what the owner needs. Throughout the encounter with his customers, the owner expresses his desire for the jalopies to his coworker, his desperation for a quick, profitable sale. The poor quality of the cars reflects the country’s condition, as well as the destruction caused to the west as a result of the Dust Bowl. Steinbeck continues using symbolism when describing the outside of the dealership, explaining the piles of junk and broken car parts surrounding the shop. The debris mirrors the continual problems the Joads, along with millions of other families, are facing that are inevitable. The repetition of the jalopies throughout the chapter emphasizes the necessity for economic stability all were searching for, “Soften ‘em up, Joe. Jesus, I wish I had a thousand jalopies!” (Steinbeck 66). There is a progressive increase in the amount wanted throughout the …show more content…
The less the owner has to sell, the more desperate he gets for a sale, “I’ll close ‘em, I’ll deal ‘em, or I’ll kill ‘em” (Steinbeck 63). The salesmen need to bring revenue into the dealership through the customers, the customers need cars for their journey, and the owner needs the sales for business; they all rely on each other. This deepens the tension Steinbeck creates, juxtaposing the necessity of the relationship with the interactions shared among the men. Due to the farming lifestyle, the Joads do not understand the value of cars, and are easy to sell. At the same time, quality is not a priority, but rather functionality. To their concern, they are being sold a car that will get them from point A to point B, and they are willing to pay what they need for the car. While unfamiliar with the car business, the Joads are not stupid and recognize the increasing prices throughout their interactions. They are hesitant until they are told, “... this is the machine age!” (Steinbeck 64). From this point forward, industrial living is the only way for their families to
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