The Grapes of Wrath Chapter 16-17 Questions
Chapter 16
1. What evidence suggests that Rose of Sharon has different dreams than her
family?
2. What line of dialogue on p. 165 shows Ma’s philosophy about howpeople need
to stick together, no matter what?
3. What moment shows that Ma is the one who is the real “citadel” of the
family? (“Citadel” is the word used to describe Ma on p. 74. It means “fortress”
and connotes strength.)
4. What dialogue from Ma shows, again, that she believes the only power comes
from when people and families stay together?
5. What does Ma mean when she compares a broken family to cows? Annotate this
text and make an inference in the margin.
6. What details about Tom Joad’s treatment of his injury shows he is resourceful?
7. What lines of dialogue from Casy foreshadow that something bad might
happen in California?
8. What details from Casy’s speech suggest he knows that a movement is
happening?
9. What evidence indicates that Granma might be suffering from dementia?
10. What details suggest that Tom Joad’s life philosophy is a simple one: to move
forward and not spend too much time looking back or bothering other people?
