Here we see how the people of California truly react to the migrants. Seeing the people hungrier, sadder, and more deprived than they have ever seen terrified them. It also goes to show that the migrants are willing to work no matter how low the wages might be.
Chapter 22
They have just made it to the government camp. At the front of the camp, a man tells them that a place has just opened and that they can live at that one. So they go set up and hit the hay. In the morning Tom wakes early, so he decides to talk to the neighbors. The neighbors think they can get Tom a temporary job where they work. Ruthie being already awake Tom tells her about the job opportunity so that she will tell Ma and Pa when they wake up. Later when Winfield wakes up, the two children decide to explore the sanity unit. Here is a comical scene where Winfield flushes the toilet and thinks he broke it. Ruthie promises him she won't tell, but it is the first thing she does when she gets back. Ma decides to go take a look at their new place, when she gets to the sanitary units she accidentally goes into the men's. The camp manager stops by and has a cup of coffee with Ma and welcomes them to their new home. He explains some of the things that goes on, and tells Ma that the committee will be by in a little bit to welcome them. Getting a bath the two lady Joads wait for the committee to arrive. Later a woman stops by to see Rose of Sharon and tell her to be good or else she will miscarry. Rose of Sharon is very upset by this and gets even more worried about the babies health. Pa, Al, and Uncle John spend their days unsuccessfully looking for work. John is still going through his nonsense about his sins bringing bad luck to his family and how he should leave. After the committee leaves Ma had a run in with Mrs. Sanders, the lady that upset Rose of Sharon.
Chapter 23
In this chapter is talks about how something so beautiful can be ruined, and you feel sick about what had happened. It also tells about music and what a wonderful thing it is. Mentions the harmonica and a guitar, how the guitar is more precious, but the harmonica is easier to carry. It also talks about a preacher and his people and how they all were saved, and how the children wish they knew all the sins so they could do them. It ends by saying how the migrants wander the roads looking for pleasure.
Chapter 24
During this chapter everyone is excitedly getting ready for the dance. The committee learns of some outsiders that are going to come in and cause trouble so the police could come in. The men get a group together to keep an eye out for the intruders. Hutson was worried that the group of men he had would harm the intruders; He only wants to catch them and tell them not to do it again because next time the won't be so nice and to get some information out of them. When the time comes the boys get the intruders easily and take them to Hutson. He asks his questions, tells them straight, and lets them go. The police were sitting outside of the gate waiting to come. They came up and asked if any trouble was going on, and when the answer was no the cops were confused and more than likely were embarrassed their plan did not work. Early in the chapter Rose of Sharon is dead set that she should not go to the dance. Ever since the woman came around and troubled her she has been extra cautious since. Ma finally talks Rose of Sharon into going to the dance; Ma is going to tell any boy that comes up to ask Rose of Sharon to dance, that Rose is sick and will not be dancing tonight. Rose has many boys come ask her to dance, but they were all turned down.
Chapter 25
In chapter 25 the fruit is starting to ripen, and the migrants want to work to pick the fruit. Wages are very low, so low the people will not work for them. Because there are no workers to pick the fruit, the fruit goes bad and is wasted. The migrants die and the cause of death on most the death certificates is malnutrition.
