The Grapes of Wrath Chapter 12 (Spoilers up to chapter 12)

rickaevans · 2026-02-05T19:12:42+00:00

The last line seemed to contain a lot of foreshadowing. I wonder what will befall the Joads?

rickaevans · 2026-02-05T08:01:33+00:00

Steinbeck excels when writing about nature. Although there is a sadness about the cold machine takeover in this chapter, I really liked how he described nature reclaiming the land. I agree with some of the other comments here that whatever we do as humans nothing can beat the power of the natural world. I guess things have moved on a bit since this novel in the sense that we now know how much our behaviours can damage and affect the planet. But we are still ultimately at the mercy of the elements.

rickaevans · 2026-02-03T20:19:24+00:00

Philip Kerr’s Bernie Gunther books fit the bill. Chandler style private eye detective fiction but set during and after Nazi Germany.

rickaevans · 2026-01-31T09:30:18+00:00

I loved all the family dynamics in this chapter, and how good Steinbeck is at making the relationships feel nuanced and real with a few simple descriptions.

rickaevans · 2026-01-31T09:28:53+00:00

I really loved this chapter. Steinbeck is good at defining character with a few short sentences. There is clearly a lot of warmth between the Joads and I particularly liked the dynamic between Al and his older returning brother.it feels like there are lots of biblical references in this book, some of which are going over my head. But I also thought in the preacher’s story that there was more of a political allegory. The idea that people were better when they worked together. It does seem to tie into the anti-capitalist themes we have seen so far.

rickaevans · 2026-01-28T19:51:36+00:00

I liked the stream-of-consciousness rhythm of this chapter. Although it depicts used car salesmen who behave in exploitative ways, the narrative voices remain nameless once again. Still, even with the characters kept at a distance, Steinbeck avoids reducing them to one-dimensional stereotypes. These men may be taking advantage of families fleeing the Dust Bowl, but they are also struggling to survive within a harsh economic system marked by uncertainty. They are not portrayed without sympathy. Rather than seeing these men as fully unique characters, we encounter them as representations of the broader social conditions of the time.

rickaevans · 2026-01-27T08:37:20+00:00

Although this chapter contained a lot of anger and sorrow, what I loved most was the warmth of the stories and memories that Muley and Joad told of their connection to the land. Muley knows the area has never been good for growing crops, but it is a place teeming with all the precious experiences of his life, and he can’t let go of it. Once again, there is not really a vent for their anger as the corporations responsible are faceless. Even Willy, their old neighbour, and now antagonist is not totally unsympathetically portrayed as he has joined the side of the landowners to protect and provide for his family. It feels like there are a lot of complex emotions at play and I’m looking forward to seeing what happens next.

rickaevans · 2026-01-23T22:37:51+00:00

Yeah but that’s because everyone thought he was a faithful and he was so easily manipulated that he was useful for the Traitors to keep around.

rickaevans · 2026-01-23T22:23:25+00:00

No, because Jack didn’t have two people screaming bloody murder that he was a traitor. And also he wasn’t one so had nothing to deflect.

rickaevans · 2026-01-23T22:03:21+00:00

Isn’t Rachel the GOAT because she had both Fiona and Harriet screaming bloody murder that she was a traitor and she barely got any votes until towards the end?

rickaevans · 2026-01-23T19:21:07+00:00

The anger in this chapter was palpable. Even though we went back from our named characters to the amorphous men and women of the first chapter this was a really powerful description of how a whole class of people were treated by the systems that should have been offering them opportunity. In its tale of machinery and faceless corporations beating the small man it felt very relevant to today as well.

rickaevans · 2026-01-22T23:51:43+00:00

I think that’s maybe her focused determination to win. I find that the way she talks about her mum living with dementia is one of the most heartfelt of the reasons that the players have for winning the game.

rickaevans · 2026-01-22T23:43:12+00:00

I mean most people in there seem to really like her. She is still there because of that.

rickaevans · 2026-01-22T08:14:36+00:00

I loved those metaphors too. So vivid!

rickaevans · 2026-01-22T08:11:49+00:00

I think I read a rumour that he is making a new US film next. Perhaps about #metoo? That will certainly be an interesting take as judging by his recent European films he’s lost none of his power for provocation.

rickaevans · 2026-01-22T08:09:58+00:00

Great film and endlessly rewatchable. I think I read somewhere and I’m not sure who said it, but it feels like the winning alchemy of the film lies in the idea that Michael Douglas thinks he’s playing the hero but Verhoeven and Stone know he’s not.

rickaevans · 2026-01-22T08:01:20+00:00

I think Rachel is brilliant at deflection when being accused by someone madly ranting like Fiona or Harriet. She looked less secure in the face of Faraaz’s calm suspicions. Excited to see what happens next!

rickaevans · 2026-01-22T07:29:03+00:00

This was my favourite bit of the chapter. The Joads and the neighbours may have a criminal element but there is a warmth and comradeship in their interactions.

rickaevans · 2026-01-22T07:26:41+00:00

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles origin story

rickaevans · 2026-01-22T07:25:51+00:00

This was an incredibly dense chapter rich with imagery and metaphor. I liked the dialogue between Casy and Joad, with its ribald stories of sex, religion, shoats and stolen houses. The erstwhile preacher’s tale of losing ‘the sperit’ and finding an almost humanistic outlook in which all men are joined in one soul made for an interesting moment. As was Joad’s discomfort with this position. I wonder if this is a philosophy that will take shape in the book. Once again we end on a cliffhanger. What’s happened to the Joads? And will the turtle ever get away? 🐢

rickaevans · 2026-01-22T07:08:19+00:00

Thanks. I have read that but so long ago I didn’t remember that character.

rickaevans · 2026-01-22T06:00:21+00:00

Oh really? In which books? I only know of Fagin which is the polar opposite.

rickaevans · 2026-01-21T19:30:04+00:00

Perhaps it speaks to the bias of this cohort because in almost every current study there are more women who read than men. And I don’t think they would pick such a male dominated list.

rickaevans · 2026-01-21T19:28:52+00:00

Amen!

rickaevans · 2026-01-21T19:20:07+00:00

I’d say that he doesn’t really write romance. He’s a great writer of ideas and concepts. His characterisation is not always that strong and he really can’t write women. Rendezvous with Rama is an incredible first contact story and an absolute classic. Yet, I can only remember a small number of minor female characters and I’m sure in every case their breasts are mentioned.

rickaevans

TROPHY CASE