Inspiration for our times from "Grapes of Wrath"

[prolesunited]

Tom Joad: I been thinking about us, too, about our people living like pigs and good rich land layin' fallow. Or maybe one guy with a million acres and a hundred thousand farmers starvin'. And I been wonderin' if all our folks got together and yelled -
Ma Joad (Jane Darwell): Tommy, they'd drag you out and cut you down just like they done to Casey.
Tom: They'd drag me anyways. Sooner or later they'll get me one way or another. Till then -
Ma: Tommy, you're not aimin' to kill nobody.
Tom: No, Ma, not that. That ain't it. Just, as long as I'm an outlaw anyways, maybe I can do something, just find out somethin', just scrounge around and maybe find out what it is that's wrong and see if they ain't somethin' that can be done about it. I ain't thought it out that clear, Ma. I can't. I don't know enough.
Ma: How am I gonna know about ya, Tommy? They could kill ya and I'd never know. They could hurt ya. How am I gonna know?
Tom: Maybe it's like Casey says. A fellow ain't got a soul of his own, just little piece of a big soul, the one big soul that belongs to everybody, then -
Ma: Then what, Tom?
Tom: Then it don't matter. I'll be all around in the dark. I'll be everywhere, wherever you can look. Wherever there's a fight so hungry people can eat, I'll be there. Wherever there's a cop beatin' up a guy, I'll be there. I'll be in the way guys yell when they're mad. I'll be in the way kids laugh when they're hungry and they know supper's ready and where people are eatin' the stuff they raise and livin' in the houses they build. I'll be there, too.

[pasadenaboy]

1. That book made me a liberal

seriously.

[prolesunited]

3. I think you should buy

multiple copies and pass them out on street corners. ;-)

Actually, that's what great literature should do, allow us to transcend ourselves and see the world from a new perspective. If it's truly great, it will leave an indelible mark on your soul.

[gristy]

2. nice piece of writing here

Were you reading the book recently?

[David Zephyr]

4. Thanks for the Inspiration, Prolesunited

Steinbeck rules!

I am fortunate enough to have the first edition of this book with its original dustjacket. It's a treasure to me.

Tom, Ma and Casey!

Tom: "I'll be there, too."

:hi:

[prolesunited]

6. You are very fortunate indeed!

The reason I posted this is because a co-worker was saying "I'll be there when... " paraphrasing the end lines about something trivial. I could remember the lines exactly, so I looked it up. I had forgotten how powerful it was.

Perhaps I'll add it to my reading list. After all, you never read the same book twice.

[Cheswick2.0]

5. that was one of my favorite books in HS

I read it many times. It is also instrumental in making me a liberal. It made me aware of labor issues. I have a copy, It has been years since I read it. I think I will read starting tonight.

[ikojo]

7. I LOVE the Grapes of Wrath and

cry everytime I watch this scene.


:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[hayu_lol]

8. Another book that caught the minds of Americans...

Richard Henry Dana's Two Years Before The Mast

[prolesunited]

9. I'm not familiar with that one

Is my ignorance showing?

I did find the full text online:
http://www.geocities.com/~murphwillson/books/mast/mast-intro.html

What did you find appealing about this book? What was its message for you?

[oneighty]

10. Not Ignorant prolesunited

you are young and strong I think. Use yourself wisely!

Ed

[oneighty]

11. Two Years Before the Mast

I read that many times when I was young.

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