Chapter 10

Chapter ten of John Steinbeck's Grapes of Wrath introduces the reader to some more characters of the Joad family. One meets Rose of Sharon, Connie, Ruthie, Winfield, and Uncle John. Yet, the meeting of more family does not mask the sadness and depression of the chapter. The trip still antagonizes the characters, creating a gloomy cloud that hangs around each character, some more than others.

Rose of Sharon is Tom's sister. She is very pretty, with a soft look, but yet she is very responsible and resolute. She is pregnant with her first child from her husband Connie. Connie is the nineteen-year-old husband who stays with his wife no matter what. He is traveling with the Joad family always next to Rose of Sharon. He is a sharp, lean man, a hard worker, with pale blue eyes. He is proud of his wife, yet he does not boast and he does not cause trouble.
Ruthie and Winfield are Tom's younger siblings. Ruthie, his sister, is turning into a responsible, young lady. She tries to act more mature and full with dignity, but her brother Winfield is the exact opposite. Winfield is still a very boyish and immature boy. "...Winfield was kid-wild and calfish." They are both excited for the trip, but they are also tired from all of the excitement and preparation.

Uncle John is a quiet man, mainly because of the death of his wife. He feels that he is the reason of her death, the rupture of her appendix. Since then he has either indulged too much or has hidden in his shell, ashamed of himself. When he feels extremely upset, he does work for people, yet he does not accept pay. He even secretly gives gifts to the children while they are asleep. He is very helpful in preparing for the trip, doing as much as he can for his family.

Even though the entire family is happy to be together and to be leaving for a better life, they are still somewhat afraid for the unknown, and many of them are tire and depressed about the whole situation. "'Yeah, but tar'der'n that. Real tar'd, like she's sick-tar'd.'" "They were afraid, now that the time had come--afraid in the same way Grampa was afraid." "And a great weariness was in her eyes." Their attitudes and the situation casts a dreary outlook on the whole chapter.