In addition, farmers in the states of Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Kansas, and Colorado were experiencing an even bigger problem. The large amount of production on their farms and poor managed land created an environmental disaster when mixed with a drought. Millions of tons of dry top soil were being blown into the air. This region became known as the dustbowl because of the violent dust storms which blew dust as far away as Chicago, and often blackened the skies. (Ross) .
Many farmers from this region abandoned their farms and traveled to California. However, once they arrived they experienced many hardships, and found the farming culture completely different than what they had left behind. The farmers had no place else to go, so they had to bare with what was in front of them, and endure the discrimination from locals and the low pay. (Ross).
The Grapes of Wrath begins with the homecoming of Tom Joad, after being released from the Oklahoma State Penitentiary, where he had served four years of a seven-year sentence for homicide. He sets out for his father's little farm in the bottom lands near Sallisaw. He reaches the house to find that it is empty. Muley Graves, a neighbor, explains to him that all the tenant farmers have been evicted from their land. Most of the families are moving to California, on the rumor that they can find work there. When Tom finally meets up with the rest of his family, it is brought to his attention that they are already in the process of making preparations for their journey to California. (Ditski 6-9).
The Joads sell all their belongings, but only get eighteen dollars for them. Through-out their journey, two family members die, including Granma Joad and Granpa Joad. This is a major emotional setback in their level of confidence, but still they continue on until they arrive in a place where many other migrants are camping. However, it is very filthy and disorderly.
