A Brief Summary Of The Grapes Of Wrath

The novel opens with Alexandra, a strong and independent woman, visiting a doctor’s office in the town of Hanover, Nebraska, a town that looks out of place on the vast prairie. The streets are empty except for one young Swedish boy named Emil, Alexandra’s little brother. Emil is distraught; his gray kitten was chased up a telegraph pole and has no way down. Emil and the shivering kitten wait for Alexandra to return. Upon her arrival, Alexandra disciplines her younger brother, then goes to find help. With the assistance of Carl Linstrum, a kind boy and neighbor to Alexandra’s family, the kitten is rescued. Alexandra then tells Carl, secretly, that their father is very sick and will most likely die soon. On their way back to their homes, Alexandra explains to Carl all her worries,
Alexandra invited Lou’s mother in law, Mrs. Lee, for a visit. Alexandra, Mrs. Lee, and Marie go out for coffee one day and talk about the men in their lives, especially Marie, and her relationship with Emil. Later into the winter, Emil returns from Mexico; he and Alexandra visit a supper and auction at the church. At one point in the night, Emil kisses Marie in a fortune telling tent. This makes things awkward between Frank, Emil, and Marie for the rest of the night. After an attempt to persuade Marie to run off with him, Emil leaves for Ann Arbor. Amedee undergoes a surgery in attempt to treat her appendicitis. That night Amedee dies in her sleep. The next morning Alexandra breaks the news to Emil. The family attends Amedee’s funeral and that night Emil visits Marie to say goodbye. Emil finds Marie, who apparently has been dreaming about him, asleep outside her home. Frank rides home, drunk, to find Emil’s horse tied up at their home. Enraged, Frank grabs his gun and goes out to look for Emil. He finds the two sitting in the orchard and he shoots at them, hitting and killing them both. Frank rides away feeling terribly