The Grapes of Wrath Chapter Summary & Analysis - Chapters 22 and 23 Summary

Chapters 22 and 23 Summary

After the Joads leave Bakersfield, they ask directions and find the nice government campground with bathing and laundry facilities. The facility is fenced and charges a small fee, which the Joads gladly pay for the chance to rest, eat, and wash in relative safety and comfort. Fortunately, there is a vacancy, so the Joads breathe a collective sigh of relief for this opportunity. Some basic community rules are provided as well as information on the self-governing group.

Tom awakens the next morning to the smells of breakfast cooking and meets a family called the Wallaces, who are in the same situation as the Joads. The Wallaces share their breakfast with Tom and invite him to accompany them to their ditch-digging jobs in the hopes that there will be work for Tom also. The employer does hire Tom, even though it is a temporary job, and Tom revels in the feeling...
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