Chapter 22

Steinbeck's Weedpatch is his view of the Garden of Eden. In the camp, group activity works for group benefits and thus creates individual self-esteem. Fear of the law is destroyed; social responsibility is encouraged along with the value of cooperation.

Discuss a situation in your own life where cooperation was essential for the good of all. How did your group handle dissent? How did the group's cooperation lead to individual self-esteem? Even if you discuss the same situation as another classmate, your own perspective should be unique, not a duplication of anyone else. Tie your situation to this chapter.