Steinbeck discusses the differences between the "haves" and the "have-nots" in this chapter. Use an example from the text and compare it to an example in our country today that illustrates this difference. Do not repeat anyone else's answer.
A family is pushed off their land and forced to move, probably down Route 66 headed for California. They were removed because the did not have the money to pay the bank. Today people who do not have money are forced to wander from shelter to shelter in search of food a bed and hopefully a job. They are, for the same reason, forced to move from place to place unless another force intervens.
In this chapter, the idea is discussed that the fight to survive is easier fought in a group. The example given in the book is a broader look at what the Joads and the Wilsons are doing to make their way to California, pool their resources. This can be compared today to the work of unions in the industrial world. When laborers have a common goal they band together in a union to help accomplish this task. So, the moral of the story is those that work together will accomplish greatness.
You must fight for what you believe in. This chapter talks about how bombs are used to show that someone has spirt and that they believe in what they are fighting for. The people using the bombs are the "haves" and the ones not using bombs are the "have-nots". When the bombs stop it says that that is the time when you should fear the most. Each bomb is a sign of a step being taken. When bombs aren't being used it shows that the "have-nots" are in power.In America we see this in the time of war. We are taking steps to develope a democratic government in Iraq by defeating the oposing people, we are being the "haves". If we left Iraq we would be backing down, so we would be the "have-nots".
Chapter fourteen is used to show that the only way to get through hard times is to come together and give up what you dont need. In today's society giving to others through salvation army/goodwill would be a great example of giving things you dont need anymore to others who need them. Though these people have to pay for these items, salvation army/goodwill provides a place where people know they can get clothing and other items whereas if to donate items you personally had to find someone who needed them, it would not only be awkward but also hard to do.
Stienback seems to have writen this chapter almost as a warn to capilist leaders of society. He stresses the importance of these so called "haves" and distinguishing between cause and result. He warns that if things continue to progress at the status quo, the number of "have-nots" will grow and unite, and soon it will not be so much an issue of "I have been forsaken" but "we have been forsaken." If the "haves" continue to isolate theirselves from the "have-nots" in this, they will find theirselves the minority against bitter opposition. But do not look to the leaders of these socialist forces for blame. They are merely the results of the cruelity inflicted by the "haves." If the "haves" wish to save their way of life, they must cease divide society and provide for the forsaken "have-nots." This ideaology can be made relevant for today. If America wishes to quell opposition, it must first extend the olive branch and work to eliminate the economic issue of the less fortunate that have divide us.
Specifically, in this chapter, Steinbeck notes that the "haves" are afraid of a revolt from the "have nots". Currently, many are worried about the same issue. What Steinbeck basically describes is a revolution, which is inevitable when a large majority of the population is unhappy with current conditions. In the United States, this is not as significant of an issue becuase we have social welfare programs like Medicare that allow a more level distribution of wealth. An perfect example of an area that lacks this principle is Russia, the former Soviet nation is dominated by an oligarchy of wealthy oil owners, and the top 3 percent of the nation own over 90 percent of the nation's wealth. However, few social welfare programs exist because the government is controlled by the oil oligarchy.
In America today, like I've said before, there is an evergrowing gap between the rich and the poor. Just like in the book where so many had so little and the rich sat back, content with themselves, not giving, just taking. The so called middle class is depleting and the current situation in our nation is caused by those who like Steinbeck describes by saying, "For the quality of owning freezes you forever into "I," and cuts you off forever from the "we." Because so many are only caught up in the idea to own as much as possible, the idea of giving back, and sharing is forgotten. If those who are extremely wealthy could start helping out those who are not, perhaps it could start the revolution, and bring together two different socioeconomic groups, and hopefully close the gap.
In one particular instance in Chapter 14, Steinbeck states that Pa has land that he bought with money from the bank and now the bank wants the land. Therefore, Pa represents the "have" and the bank represents the "have-not". This situation is not much different in today's society. If a person borrows money from the bank but is unable to pay them back, the bank repossesses items. This situation can be transformed into a broad generalization by saying that if someone wants something they will do whatever they need to do to get what they want.
A quote from chapter 14 that stuck out to me was, “This is the beginning—from ‘I’ to ‘we’”. This illustrates the sense of community used by the migrant families. Steinbeck describes imagery of poor families crowded around a dim campfire, a cold night, and a few blankets. The people give blankets to the cold baby. This shows that although there were many “have-nots” the “haves” were spread out, stretched thin so everyone could survive. The families must work together to accomplish the goal of making a better life out in new lands. This compares today to various charities or volunteer organizations. People today share their “haves” so others who do not have can survive. The Red Cross, or the United Way are examples of how this can relate to America today.
Steinbeck tells the story of families who wander to California in hopes of a better life. Specificially in these chapters. Steinbeck uses the Joad's and other families as a model of the many people who traveled down Route 66 to get to California. Today, many people try to apply themselves and figure out where they want to go in life and what road will take them there. If we succed that is.
There are many things today that are "haves" but that are not necessarily needed. Many items we own are not needed to live. Steinback states that the great owners have money, but they want more. So many people were kicked off their land because of other people's hunger for more. Maybe the owners of the land could have bought a tractor for each farmer and let the farmer farm, but that would cost to much money. This again shows how many people only cared about money and their possesions. The Western land was nervous under the beginning change, and what a change.
Our society today represents the "haves" and "have-nots" in much the same way except to a greater extreme. Credit today is out of control because to be "accepted" in the communal family it is considered by many of the "haves" unacceptable to be a "have-not". Therefore, many "have-nots" families will charge and extent themselves many for survival but many for the appearance of being a "have". If families would help each other they would accomplish more where they are instead of having to search out success across the country, California.
Steinbeck states in this chapter that people obsessed with the idea of "owning" stuff become isolated and lonley. Being lost and alone with a group of people is much more appealing than being lost and alone by yourself. People who only care about how much they "have" and keeping it for thier own use usually end up alone and helpless in their own times of need. Others who willingly give all they have (or "have-not") for the good of someone else will have friends and support when it is they who need assistance.
In the world today, this is evident everywhere. By working together for the good of a group, rather that only for oneself, more is accomplished and the mood is brighter. Any sort of reform that has taken place in our society probably wasn't due to the single acts of one person, but a number of people working for the common good.
"two men are not as lonely and perplexed as one." The power to survive for the two men to survive is doubled when they work together, I am hungry is just not as motivating and full of confidence as the statement, we are hungry. Together they can fight the odds and overcome that obstacle. Today this can be compared to the act of boycotting. If one person decides to stop buying from a store for moral reasons, who cares? But, if a multitude of people stop buying the effect is significant and will most likely bring with it change. Power in numbers is a lovely thing.
One have mentioned in this book are the people who are tractoring their former neighbors farms, which leaves the poor families getting tractored as the have-nots. This turns family against family, and changes a community into a dog-eat-dog society. The sad truth is that this is still going on today in the extremely capitalist societies we live in today, in which you can be honest and hardworking, and stay as a lower level employee, or lie, cheat, bribe, and steal your way to the top.
A “have” that was a reoccurring theme in the novel is family and the importance of it. When the farmers of the Dust Bowl lost everything, they still had each other. They were able to try to make a better life for themselves because they had others, immediate family and communal family. With this “have” they were able to bear all the hardships presented to them, and move on.
An important "have" and recurring theme in this entire novel (especially in this chapter) is the need of a family. Those who have a family are more likely to survive and prosper than the one who does not have a family to fall back on.
Of course, the "have not" to this would be the lack of family in that person's life.
This concept of family is a major component of today's world. At school, we have classes on how to help create a stronger family unit, numerous studies have been conducted that show the impact of family life on an individual's success, and the list grows every second.
These studies are direct correlations between the haves and have-nots of family. Those who have supportive families end up with more success (in general, not concrete) while thsoe who do not have that cushion of support to lean back on, often fail in their goals (again, in general, not set-in-stone.)
The farmers before the Dust Bowl and the Great Depression had influence upon many things, such as whether the year would produce an adequate crop and the choice of whether they wanted to continue farming or leave. However, when the Dust Bowl and Great Depression approached, businesses took the farmers' land without any regards as to whether wanted to continue to farm or not. This can be compared to almost any losing presidential nominee to date. While they are still campaigning, the candidates receive tremendous support and feel in control of what they are doing and how the election will end in their favor. However, when that candidate loses, the nominee is not precisely in control of what is going to happen next. During the Dust Bowl, the farmers trekked to California, which seemed to be their last hope. Currently, presidential nominees such as John Kerry simply call soldiers serving in Iraq unintelligent, which seem to be his last hope at fame.
This chapter illustrates the 'have/have-not' issue of an understanding regarding cause and effect. It acknowledges in the book how this example is critical that storrekeepers understand that they are selling necessities and that they are needed to result in the development of any person.
Today, cause and effect is key once again as we try and prescribe a drug for the ailments of our society but we are unable to determine what we need for causes.
Today, i don't believe that our country would function without the "have-nots" because you need that "unsuccsessful" person to work the late shift at McDonald's. We can't rely on teenagers to work those jobs for us, when they have to focus on so many other things also. Teens will help, but while they're in school, you need someone else to take over. Although these "have-nots" do often get angry because of unequal pay or treatment, and they go on strike. Just as the book talks about how they may stage a revolt.
I agree with Andrew. Successful people (the haves) cannot exist without unsuccessful people (the have nots). There have to be people willing to do the dirty work in our society in order to keep the big businessmen successful.
In this chapter one of the main subjects is the poverty and richness of the common man. While at a gas station one car was very nice and fast and then their were the "okies" who had beat down cars that barely ran. Back then if you don't need something then you gave it to someone who really did need it. Now days if you have stuff to donate then you get a pat on the back. Its not as much as a necessary thing in this century.
A great example of those who "have" and those who "have-not" is seen in the encounter between Ma and the storekeeper at Hooper Ranch. The storekeeper is the "have" in the situation, due to the fact that he has a steady job that pays a better wage than the wages Ma is capable of earning. He boasts about his higher place in society by giggling and making fun of the customers. This display of wealth or importance occurs frequently in today’s society when individuals who have large amounts of wealth go to great extents to make sure everyone knows it. They do this by purchasing expensive goods such as cars and houses.
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A family is pushed off their land and forced to move, probably down Route 66 headed for California. They were removed because the did not have the money to pay the bank. Today people who do not have money are forced to wander from shelter to shelter in search of food a bed and hopefully a job. They are, for the same reason, forced to move from place to place unless another force intervens.
In this chapter, the idea is discussed that the fight to survive is easier fought in a group. The example given in the book is a broader look at what the Joads and the Wilsons are doing to make their way to California, pool their resources. This can be compared today to the work of unions in the industrial world. When laborers have a common goal they band together in a union to help accomplish this task. So, the moral of the story is those that work together will accomplish greatness.
You must fight for what you believe in. This chapter talks about how bombs are used to show that someone has spirt and that they believe in what they are fighting for. The people using the bombs are the "haves" and the ones not using bombs are the "have-nots". When the bombs stop it says that that is the time when you should fear the most. Each bomb is a sign of a step being taken. When bombs aren't being used it shows that the "have-nots" are in power.In America we see this in the time of war. We are taking steps to develope a democratic government in Iraq by defeating the oposing people, we are being the "haves". If we left Iraq we would be backing down, so we would be the "have-nots".
Chapter fourteen is used to show that the only way to get through hard times is to come together and give up what you dont need. In today's society giving to others through salvation army/goodwill would be a great example of giving things you dont need anymore to others who need them. Though these people have to pay for these items, salvation army/goodwill provides a place where people know they can get clothing and other items whereas if to donate items you personally had to find someone who needed them, it would not only be awkward but also hard to do.
Stienback seems to have writen this chapter almost as a warn to capilist leaders of society. He stresses the importance of these so called "haves" and distinguishing between cause and result. He warns that if things continue to progress at the status quo, the number of "have-nots" will grow and unite, and soon it will not be so much an issue of "I have been forsaken" but "we have been forsaken." If the "haves" continue to isolate theirselves from the "have-nots" in this, they will find theirselves the minority against bitter opposition. But do not look to the leaders of these socialist forces for blame. They are merely the results of the cruelity inflicted by the "haves." If the "haves" wish to save their way of life, they must cease divide society and provide for the forsaken "have-nots."
This ideaology can be made relevant for today. If America wishes to quell opposition, it must first extend the olive branch and work to eliminate the economic issue of the less fortunate that have divide us.
Specifically, in this chapter, Steinbeck notes that the "haves" are afraid of a revolt from the "have nots". Currently, many are worried about the same issue. What Steinbeck basically describes is a revolution, which is inevitable when a large majority of the population is unhappy with current conditions. In the United States, this is not as significant of an issue becuase we have social welfare programs like Medicare that allow a more level distribution of wealth. An perfect example of an area that lacks this principle is Russia, the former Soviet nation is dominated by an oligarchy of wealthy oil owners, and the top 3 percent of the nation own over 90 percent of the nation's wealth. However, few social welfare programs exist because the government is controlled by the oil oligarchy.
In America today, like I've said before, there is an evergrowing gap between the rich and the poor. Just like in the book where so many had so little and the rich sat back, content with themselves, not giving, just taking. The so called middle class is depleting and the current situation in our nation is caused by those who like Steinbeck describes by saying, "For the quality of owning freezes you forever into "I," and cuts you off forever from the "we." Because so many are only caught up in the idea to own as much as possible, the idea of giving back, and sharing is forgotten. If those who are extremely wealthy could start helping out those who are not, perhaps it could start the revolution, and bring together two different socioeconomic groups, and hopefully close the gap.
In one particular instance in Chapter 14, Steinbeck states that Pa has land that he bought with money from the bank and now the bank wants the land. Therefore, Pa represents the "have" and the bank represents the "have-not". This situation is not much different in today's society. If a person borrows money from the bank but is unable to pay them back, the bank repossesses items. This situation can be transformed into a broad generalization by saying that if someone wants something they will do whatever they need to do to get what they want.
A quote from chapter 14 that stuck out to me was, “This is the beginning—from ‘I’ to ‘we’”. This illustrates the sense of community used by the migrant families. Steinbeck describes imagery of poor families crowded around a dim campfire, a cold night, and a few blankets. The people give blankets to the cold baby. This shows that although there were many “have-nots” the “haves” were spread out, stretched thin so everyone could survive. The families must work together to accomplish the goal of making a better life out in new lands. This compares today to various charities or volunteer organizations. People today share their “haves” so others who do not have can survive. The Red Cross, or the United Way are examples of how this can relate to America today.
Steinbeck tells the story of families who wander to California in hopes of a better life. Specificially in these chapters. Steinbeck uses the Joad's and other families as a model of the many people who traveled down Route 66 to get to California. Today, many people try to apply themselves and figure out where they want to go in life and what road will take them there. If we succed that is.
There are many things today that are "haves" but that are not necessarily needed. Many items we own are not needed to live. Steinback states that the great owners have money, but they want more. So many people were kicked off their land because of other people's hunger for more. Maybe the owners of the land could have bought a tractor for each farmer and let the farmer farm, but that would cost to much money. This again shows how many people only cared about money and their possesions. The Western land was nervous under the beginning change, and what a change.
Our society today represents the "haves" and "have-nots" in much the same way except to a greater extreme. Credit today is out of control because to be "accepted" in the communal family it is considered by many of the "haves" unacceptable to be a "have-not". Therefore, many "have-nots" families will charge and extent themselves many for survival but many for the appearance of being a "have". If families would help each other they would accomplish more where they are instead of having to search out success across the country, California.
Steinbeck states in this chapter that people obsessed with the idea of "owning" stuff become isolated and lonley. Being lost and alone with a group of people is much more appealing than being lost and alone by yourself. People who only care about how much they "have" and keeping it for thier own use usually end up alone and helpless in their own times of need. Others who willingly give all they have (or "have-not") for the good of someone else will have friends and support when it is they who need assistance.
In the world today, this is evident everywhere. By working together for the good of a group, rather that only for oneself, more is accomplished and the mood is brighter. Any sort of reform that has taken place in our society probably wasn't due to the single acts of one person, but a number of people working for the common good.
"two men are not as lonely and perplexed as one." The power to survive for the two men to survive is doubled when they work together, I am hungry is just not as motivating and full of confidence as the statement, we are hungry. Together they can fight the odds and overcome that obstacle. Today this can be compared to the act of boycotting. If one person decides to stop buying from a store for moral reasons, who cares? But, if a multitude of people stop buying the effect is significant and will most likely bring with it change. Power in numbers is a lovely thing.
One have mentioned in this book are the people who are tractoring their former neighbors farms, which leaves the poor families getting tractored as the have-nots. This turns family against family, and changes a community into a dog-eat-dog society. The sad truth is that this is still going on today in the extremely capitalist societies we live in today, in which you can be honest and hardworking, and stay as a lower level employee, or lie, cheat, bribe, and steal your way to the top.
A “have” that was a reoccurring theme in the novel is family and the importance of it. When the farmers of the Dust Bowl lost everything, they still had each other. They were able to try to make a better life for themselves because they had others, immediate family and communal family. With this “have” they were able to bear all the hardships presented to them, and move on.
An important "have" and recurring theme in this entire novel (especially in this chapter) is the need of a family. Those who have a family are more likely to survive and prosper than the one who does not have a family to fall back on.
Of course, the "have not" to this would be the lack of family in that person's life.
This concept of family is a major component of today's world. At school, we have classes on how to help create a stronger family unit, numerous studies have been conducted that show the impact of family life on an individual's success, and the list grows every second.
These studies are direct correlations between the haves and have-nots of family. Those who have supportive families end up with more success (in general, not concrete) while thsoe who do not have that cushion of support to lean back on, often fail in their goals (again, in general, not set-in-stone.)
The farmers before the Dust Bowl and the Great Depression had influence upon many things, such as whether the year would produce an adequate crop and the choice of whether they wanted to continue farming or leave. However, when the Dust Bowl and Great Depression approached, businesses took the farmers' land without any regards as to whether wanted to continue to farm or not. This can be compared to almost any losing presidential nominee to date. While they are still campaigning, the candidates receive tremendous support and feel in control of what they are doing and how the election will end in their favor. However, when that candidate loses, the nominee is not precisely in control of what is going to happen next. During the Dust Bowl, the farmers trekked to California, which seemed to be their last hope. Currently, presidential nominees such as John Kerry simply call soldiers serving in Iraq unintelligent, which seem to be his last hope at fame.
In general, families were forced to move elsewhere during the Depression because they did not have money to pay for their homes or food.
This chapter illustrates the 'have/have-not' issue of an understanding regarding cause and effect. It acknowledges in the book how this example is critical that storrekeepers understand that they are selling necessities and that they are needed to result in the development of any person.
Today, cause and effect is key once again as we try and prescribe a drug for the ailments of our society but we are unable to determine what we need for causes.
Today, i don't believe that our country would function without the "have-nots" because you need that "unsuccsessful" person to work the late shift at McDonald's. We can't rely on teenagers to work those jobs for us, when they have to focus on so many other things also. Teens will help, but while they're in school, you need someone else to take over. Although these "have-nots" do often get angry because of unequal pay or treatment, and they go on strike. Just as the book talks about how they may stage a revolt.
I agree with Andrew. Successful people (the haves) cannot exist without unsuccessful people (the have nots). There have to be people willing to do the dirty work in our society in order to keep the big businessmen successful.
In this chapter one of the main subjects is the poverty and richness of the common man. While at a gas station one car was very nice and fast and then their were the "okies" who had beat down cars that barely ran. Back then if you don't need something then you gave it to someone who really did need it. Now days if you have stuff to donate then you get a pat on the back. Its not as much as a necessary thing in this century.
A great example of those who "have" and those who "have-not" is seen in the encounter between Ma and the storekeeper at Hooper Ranch. The storekeeper is the "have" in the situation, due to the fact that he has a steady job that pays a better wage than the wages Ma is capable of earning. He boasts about his higher place in society by giggling and making fun of the customers. This display of wealth or importance occurs frequently in today’s society when individuals who have large amounts of wealth go to great extents to make sure everyone knows it. They do this by purchasing expensive goods such as cars and houses.
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