How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
"Fella gets use' to a place, it's hard to go," said Casy. "Fella gets use' to a way of thinkin' it's hard to leave." (6.72)
Can you imagine having to leave a place you've lived in your whole entire life? Scratch that. Can you imagine leaving a place you, your parents, and their parents have lived their whole entire lives? The Joads have spent all of their lives cultivating their land, and now they have to start over. Now they have to go to a place they've never even seen before. It would be like a modern day family having to move to the moon.
Quote #2
[car salesman:] "Mules! Hey, Joe, hear this? This guy wants to trade mules. Didn't nobody tell you this is the machine age? They don't use mules for nothing but glue no more." (7.30)
Who knew glue was made out of mules? Interesting fact of the day. Anyway, The Grapes of Wrath gives us a window onto the changing culture of America. The tenant farmers seem to be caught in the traditional ways of going about life, and the landowners and merchants are all caught up in their Scientific American and know about the latest advancements in technology. If you don't have money, how are you supposed to hear about advancements in technology? The migrant families are at a disadvantage for not being tuned into the goings-on of American technological advancements, but they can't afford to be tuned in.
Quote #3
[Ma Joad:]"I never had my house pushed over," she said. "I never had my fambly stuck out on the road. I never had to sell – ever'thing – Here they come now." (8.73)
It seems to us that, when you get to be Ma's age, you shouldn't have to deal with huge roadblocks like being kicked out of your house and forced to move to an entirely new land. Don't you think Ma Joad is amazing? She's totally calm and collected, even though you know it's got to hurt.