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Summary Passage Discussion Questions Theme Song

**Summary Chapter 12 This chapter was basically about Highway 66 and how it’s the main road going from Mississippi to Bakersfield, California. Many people travel down 66 even though the chance of their undependable cars breaking down was very possible. The people are in tune with their cars and listen and feel for any abnormalties, "Listen to the pounding old jalopy with all your senses; for a change of tone, a variation of rhythm..." (p. 153) This foreshadows Al's concerns about their truck. Despite their car problems, they still continue to travel on. As people journey down 66, their cars break down and they have to stop and try to find the right parts for their car. They find someone who has all the parts for their car but charges a lot for the shifty pieces. The mechanic tells them how the police in California will send them back because of the high number of people that are heading there. The high wages that were also promised could be false as well. With all the difficulties on the journey the migrants must rely on hope, faith, and the humanity of their fellow migrants. In one case a family started out with only a trailer full of their belongings and they were given a ride to California by a good person, "The people in flight from the terror behind - strange things happen to them, some bitterly cruel and some so beautiful that the faith is refired forever." (p. 156)

**Passage Chapter 12 “Cars pulled up beside the road, engine heads off, tires mended. Cars limping along 66 like wounded things, panting and struggling. Too hot, loose connections, loose bearings, rattling bodies.” (pg. 122)

All the problems that people got while traveling down Highway 66 foreshadowed the problems that the Joad family will face during their travels. By highlighting the problems of the other families with their cars, it hints that the Joad family may face problems since they too have an unreliable car. Also, it shows that California may not be what it seems to be since they could be sent back once they reach California, it might not solve all the Joad’s problems.

**Discussion Questions Chapter 12 Why did Steinbeck emphasize on people’s problems with their cars as they traveled down Highway 66?

Steinbeck did this because it foreshadowed the future problems and obstacles that the Joad family might have as they travel towards California. “’F we can on’y get to California where the oranges grow vefore this here ol’ jug blows up. ‘F we on’y can.” (pg. 120) Just by getting to California people seem to think that that would solve all their problems, but finally getting to California doesn’t necessarily mean that the Joad’s problems to be solved.

**Theme Song Chapter 12**

We've been on the run Driving in the sun This junkie car weighs a ton California here we come We wont stop until were done

The salesmen is a jerk Cheats you for all your worth Driving down the 66 California here we come We wont stop until were done

California! Here we come!

People are a hating Thinking we'll never make it Nothing's gonna stop us now California here we come We wont stop until were done

Dont give up your hope Faith will pull us through Gotta get us to the grapes California here we come We wont stop until were done

California! Here we come!

**Analysis In this song you can tell that we made some changes but basically the main point is that everyone’s heading to California. “California here we come”, and by everyone going to California, its suppose to solve everyone’s problems and give people hope.