Grapes of Wrath Quote

“If you’re in trouble or hurt or need–go to the poor people. They’re the only ones that’ll help–the only ones” (479).

I believe this quote embodies one of the most important themes in Grapes of Wrath: the importance of supporting others in difficult times. When the Joads find work at the peach picking camp, Ma goes into the camp store to buy food for dinner that night and a few other groceries. As she goes to pay, the store clerk is hesitant toward Ma and overcharges her. However, once she convinces him to give her a little sugar for the coffee she buys, as she’s leaving the store she comments on the bond among the poor. The ability of the man who worked at the grocery store to give extra to those in need even though he was skeptical of the action is one of many scenarios in Grapes of Wrath depicting that people who have the least are often those who are the most generous and empathetic. For example, when the Joads arrive in their first camp, Ma shares the food she has with other kids outside of her family who are hungry. She could have chosen not to do this and save all the food for her family, but she makes a small sacrifice because she sees the pain and suffering that others endure. Many negative things happen to the Joads, such as the loss of multiple family members and often a lack of basic needs such as food. Though there are very few signs of hope in Grapes of Wrath, one of the most powerful things which allows the family to keep going is the support system present among the poor.