Chapters 18-20

As the book continues with chapter 18, the two families are just getting through the mountains and travel through the desert without any unusual or noticeable problems. When they get through the desert successfully, they enter a greener area and find a river to camp beside. After unpacking the tents and cooking supplies, the men walk down stream and bath in the river. I found this rather funny, how they were so open with themselves and took off their clothes. We would call this "skinny-dipping," and most people wouldn't do that anymore. The men found this very relaxing. Then a man and his son come along and join them. They speak of how they are going back home because they can't find work, and how it would be better to die at home. The Joads seem to shrug off this comment that the man made, and still go on thinking that they have a better life ahead of them. The men leave the river, and as they are going to take naps, Noah tells Tom that he is going to stay behind. Tom tells him that he can't, and Noah says that he is going to find a line and catch fish on the river because nobody really wants him around anyways. Tom realizes that it is no use arguing with him, so Tom watches Noah walk further downstream until he can't see him anymore. During this part, I didn't understand why Tom didn't go with him. He probably knows that Noah will be better off than they will be because of what everyone has said. What is the point of going on if you aren't going to find anything better?
Back at the tents, Granma's health is getting worse and worse, but Ma is in complete denial and claims that she is just really tired, and if she gets some sleep she will be fine. Not long after, a policeman arrives at the tent and tells Ma that they have to be gone by tomorrow. All the men return, except Noah, and they begin to pack up. Mr. Wilson comes to speak to Casy because his wife wants to talk to him in their tent. Sairy tells Casy, the ex-preacher, to pray for him because she knows that they can't travel on with them, and it won't be long before she dies. The Joads leave the Wilsons behind with some money and head for the valleys. At this point, I really realized that if there were more people like the Joads on this earth at this time, then they would be better off, and I think that they would be happy even if they didn't have everything or even close to everything that they need.
On their night drive, they are stop for an inspection, but Ma tells them that Granma is in desperate need of medical attention. The policeman looks at her and allows them to move on. At the time, Ma knew that Granma was already dead, but she did not want the policeman to find out. So when they arrive at Hooverville she tells the rest of the family, and since they don't have a lot of money left, they drop Granma's body off at the coroner's office.
Also in Hooverville, they find a camp to stay for the night. Many other hungry families are staying here and they speak about how they can't get any work. One man talks to Tom and tells him that when the police are around he should act "bull-simple" so as not to be suspected of anything. Tom does not understand why people just don't rebel, and the man tells him that anyone caught doing this would be drug off by the police. Other men who attempt to are put on a list so that they will never be able to find work.
In one of the tents, Connie and Rosasharn are talking, and Connie tells her that they should have stayed in Oklahoma where he could have studies tractors. She tells him that he is planning on studying radios, and that she won't have the baby in a tent. Connie leaves the tent, and Rose of Sharon puts her thumb in her mouth, using it as a gag, and cries. Outside of the tent, Ma cooks stew while many hungry children crowd around it. Ruth gets jealous of another older girl and keeps eyeing her.