1) "No I ain't. You can't do that. I can't do that. It's too much - livin' too many lives. Up ahead they's a thousan' lives we might live, but when it comes, it'll on'y be one. If I go ahead on all of 'em, it's too much. You got to live ahead 'cause you're so young, but-- it's some more pork bones" (124).
This quote is said by Ma Joad and it touched me because it made me realize how my parents, grandparents and other family members had to go through this during the Vietnam War. My parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles had to flee to America hoping for a better life because the war in Vietnam was too hectic to handle. They hoped that America could be their "new beginning/new life". Ma Joad says this as they're on the road to the West and it makes me realize how she is so strong willed and acts like the rock/glue of the family; constantly staying strong and keeping everyone together. My parents probably realized that they had to leave behind their past and start over in America. Everyone only has one life and we have to live it to the fullest no matter how hard or rough times can be. We have to be able to live with the consequences that follow our decisions. We have to stay hopeful and be prepared for whatever is thrown at us. "Hope for the best, prepare for the worst." Reading this quote made me realize how lucky I am to be here right now and not worrying about fleeing to other countries for a better life. This quote was really meaningful to me and when I read it, I was touched by it.
2) "He was foolin', all the time...You fellas can make some kinda new life, but Grampa, his life was over an' he knowed it. An' Grampa didn' die tonight. He died the minute you took 'im off the place" (146).
This quote is said by Casy and this also touched me because it was heartbreaking to hear this. Grampa didn't want to leave his land in the first place. The land was a part of him and he couldn't let go of it. And when the time came that he had to leave, it kinda ripped his heart up and threw it on the ground. Since Grampa is old, the memories with his land was sincere and can not be forgotten. He literally had to leave who he was. Everyone else could start a new life since they haven't been with the land as long as he has been. He got attached to the land and it wasn't easy letting go of. He mentally died once he got off his land. I connected this with my grandparents. I'm sure this was how they felt when they had to leave Vietnam, they had to leave their belongings and home. They grew up in Vietnam and their home became part of them. My parents started over here in America but my grandma still wishes to one day be able to visit Vietnam again. My grandparents probably felt how Grampa Joad felt once he left the land and it's so heartbreaking especially because they're old </3 Things change, memories dont. I know my grandma will forever keep the memories she made/had in Vietnam when she was little.
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