The Grapes of Wrath: Chapter 18 Summary & Analysis

The Joads travel across New Mexico and Arizona until the reach the Colorado River. Past the river lies the formidable Mojave Desert, and past that, California. The travelers set up camp by the river. Granma Joad rests, but babbles incoherently—she seems to be getting ill.

At the river, Pa and Tom encounter a boy and his father, who are returning from California after being unable to find work there. The returning migrants warn that the fertile country of California is completely bought up. Arable land often lies fallow, and migrants will be punished for cultivating it. Migrants also face abuse from resentful locals, who call them “Okies.”

Noah tells Tom that he can no longer go on. He is entranced by the water of the Colorado river, and plans to live off fish he catches. Tom tries to talk Noah out of his plan, but can only watch as Noah walks down the riverbank, growing further and further away.

Granma raves in the stifling heat, yelling out at Grampa Joad. Rosasharn looks after her, and is distressed, but Ma Joad explains that birth and death are part of a larger process, and aren’t as lonely and painful as they seem. A Jehovite (Jehovah’s Witness) woman enters the tent and wants to give Granma her final prayers, but Ma Joad declines.

A sheriff pokes his head into the tent that houses Ma Joad, Rosasharn, and Granma. He calls the family “Okies” and tells them that they aren’t welcome to stay. Ma Joad grabs a skillet and reprimands the man for his disrespect, and he moves on to the next tent.

The Joads prepare to leave quickly, fearing the cops. Tom tells Pa that Noah has left on his own, and Pa blames himself for the boy’s eccentricities.

Ivy and Sairy Wilson cannot continue with the Joads. Sairy’s health is deteriorating. She asks Casy to pray for her before the family leaves and he does so silently, without invoking God.

The Joads try to cross the desert in a night. A gas attendant that fuels them up warns them crossing the desert in their shaky jalopy is a risky proposition. The family continues along, and reaches an agricultural checkpoint. The checkpoint guards hassle the family, but back down when they see how bad Granma looks, and they let the car through. Ma Joad insists that the family cross the desert before stopping.

The family reaches California. Ma Joad reveals that Granma’s been dead since before they passed the checkpoint. Casy admires and fears Ma’s willpower; she stayed on the truck all night with Granma’s corpse out of love. Uncle John worries whether Ma has sinned, and Casy assures him that she has done nothing wrong.