Contents
Chapter 13
Overview
Driving west on Route 66, the Joads battle heat, thirst, and suspicion at a service station, where a passing car kills their dog. That night they befriend Ivy and Sairy Wilson; Grampa suffers a fatal stroke in the Wilsons’ tent. The families bury him quietly to avoid costly legalities and agree to caravan together, redistributing passengers and gear to keep both cars moving.
Summary
The overloaded Hudson pushes west as Al listens anxiously to the car, while Ma steadies herself for whatever comes. At a roadside stop, thirst and overheating force them to a shabby service station where the wary owner questions their ability to pay. Tensions ease, but a speeding car kills the family dog, rattling Rose of Sharon and the children.
As evening nears, the Joads pull off near Bethany beside an ailing Kansas family, Ivy and Sairy Wilson. Hospitality is exchanged; Grampa, dazed and weak since leaving the farm, is helped into the Wilsons’ tent. Jim Casy examines him and, with Sairy, fears a stroke. Amid Granma’s demand for prayer, Grampa convulses; Casy clears his airway and begins the Lord’s Prayer as the old man dies.
The family regroups to decide burial. Lacking money for an undertaker and wary of legal costs, they choose to bury Grampa themselves. Tom writes a note on a Bible leaf identifying William James Joad and the cause of death, adding a Psalm, and seals it in a fruit jar placed with the body. They dig the grave by firelight, lower the quilt-wrapped body, and Casy delivers a plain-spoken eulogy about the living needing guidance. To avoid trouble, Tom levels and disguises the grave.
Over supper, the Wilsons recount setbacks, and Al diagnoses their car’s likely plugged fuel line, promising repairs. To protect the Hudson’s springs and tackle hills, Tom proposes splitting riders and light cargo with the Wilsons; all agree, though Sairy—clearly ill—urges the Joads not to be burdened. Ma insists on mutual aid. The camp quiets under the thundering night trucks as everyone sleeps, except Sairy, awake with pain.
Who Appears
- Tom JoadDrives partway, confronts the station owner, writes Grampa’s burial note, proposes sharing loads with the Wilsons, and hides the grave.
- Ma JoadHolds the family steady, tends Granma, prepares Grampa’s body, insists on mutual aid, and manages camp tasks.
- Al JoadPrimary driver and mechanic; monitors the Hudson, advises Tom, and diagnoses the Wilsons’ car trouble.
- Jim CasyEx-preacher who tends Grampa, identifies the stroke, leads a plain eulogy, and reflects on suffering and purpose.
- Pa JoadLeads family council, decides on clandestine burial, helps dig and lower the body, and accepts aid-sharing with Wilsons.
- Grampa JoadWeakened since leaving the farm; suffers a fatal stroke in the Wilsons’ tent and is buried roadside.
- Granma JoadFretful and demanding prayer during Grampa’s crisis; later grieves and sleeps, needing comfort.
- Rose of SharonPregnant, anxious after the dog’s death; helps cook, then comforts Granma at night.
- Connie RiversAttends to Rose of Sharon, shares hopeful plans, and urges attending the burial rites.
- Uncle JohnAssists with the dog and grave; worries they might have helped Grampa more.
- Noah JoadHelps dig the grave; notes feeling unchanged by Grampa’s death.
- Ruthie JoadWitnesses the dog’s death and the burial, subdued and observant.
- Winfield JoadShocked by the dog’s gore; vomits, later sobs at the hidden grave.
- Ivy WilsonStranded Kansan who welcomes the Joads; accepts convoying and car help.
- Sairy WilsonIll but hospitable; aids with Grampa, provides Bible page and pins; lies awake in pain.
- Service-station ownerWary, sweating proprietor who frets about migrants and later offers to bury the dog.