They stood and watched them burning. With the ridiculous amount of money they received from the buyers, they bought beat up jalopies, for more than they were worth. The burning of their possessions represent a family s past, their memories, and lives. Watching their treasures become ashes in the wind, they readily left and begin a new life. In the final intercalary chapter, which appears at the end of the book, chapter 29, Steinbeck depicts the desperation of the helpless families in California.
Dark clouds begin to form, and soon the rain falls.
The families watch as the rain runs through the fields and eventually floods arise, they have no employment, and seem as if they are going to wither away. Steinbeck uses this type of irony to show what frustrations the families must carry. Even though they experience such hardships, the families work together to accomplish one goal. The water seems to ruin their lives. The water fouls their cars.