GOW+Ch17+Discussion

As the country is moving westward all the families are coming together forming a unit or larger family. What is this larger unit representing? What message is Steinbeck trying to convey?

This larger family is forming a self-governing community, there is not just one person holding all the power, there are established rules that the people should obey. The people make up the consequences as they feel just, its representing a community working together in peace where everybody has equal oppertunities and everybody helps each other out. This way of living was very humane, nobody was left behind. "And as the worlds moved westward, rules became became laws, although no one told the families. It is unlawful to foul near the camp; it is unlawful in any way to foul the drinking water; it is unlawful to eat good rich food near one who is hungry, unless he is asked to share." (pg. 194). This shows the established rules that made up the new laws. Steinbeck was showing that if everybody worked together as a larger whole then things get more accomplished and that everybody would work together more peacefully without any conflicts. Steinbeck seems to want everybody to be happy, it shows socialist ideas that do not seem to be to radical. Steinbecks believes that things should be fair, for instance people were raising their prices using the people migrating in order for them to make money. Steinbeck felt this was wrong and that everybody should be helping each other out in a time of need, that not just one person should take control and decide everything, that the community and possibly country should work together in a peaceful manner.