Cat?

So was the cat supposed to be another symbolism thing? or was it just there to be there?

Why all the detail in the first place?

My question is why do we really care about all the detail? Why does Steinbeck focus on this detail so much? It seems that when we read we look only at all the detail vs. the actual meaning of the words and the book? SoO!! If he left out so much of the detail would the book be the same? Better? what does it affect?

Why all the detail in the first place?

My question is why do we really care about all the detail? Why does Steinbeck focus on this detail so much? It seems that when we read we look only at all the detail vs. the actual meaning of the words and the book? SoO!! If he left out so much of the detail would the book be the same? Better? what does it affect?

The Cat and the Turtle

Is there any significance to the cat trying to eat the turtle, then giving up? It is some sort of foreshadowing that means that Joad (as the turtle) will face challenges, overcome them, and they will give up (allowing the family to live happily ever after)? Or am I just reading too much into this....

alrighty well yet again ive done nothing and havent even opened the book..so when i finally decide to assert myself ill let ya kno

Killing of Rabbits

Ok... Being a vegetarian has some drawbacks when I read this book. The author insists on going into detail of how the skinning of the rabbit occurs. Why, might I ask, must the author put me through this pain and torture?? Is there a reason to the detail of the rabbits or not?

Jim Casy's 'prayer'

Jim Casy's 'prayer' was more his thoughts on holyness than anything else. Granma was saying things like "Hallelujah" and everyone was waiting for Casy to say Amen. Steinback wrote that this was just because everyone was used to waiting and Granma had just "timed her responses to the pauses".
Does the prayer and how the family acts have symbolism? Does it say something more about Steinback's religious beliefs?

Jim Casy's prayer p.109-111