Chapters 1-10 (C) *

Dear precious farmland,

My family and my ancestors have been everlastingly nurturing you. You have given us an abundance of resources in order for us to survive. We greatly appreciate the crops that you supply us with and we really feel fortunate. The connection between us is inexpressible as you have done so much for our family. We have been continuing to nurture you throughout these many decades, and will not give up.

However, we are currently facing danger. The "monster" has come to us and demand that we give up on your land. (33) They do not understand the love in what we farmers do for maintaining this beautiful land. We have a true passion for farming, but the banks do not understand,"they [only] breathe profits; they eat the interest of your money". (32) The bank told us to leave and tractors have replaced us farmers. Now, we are "half starved", "the kids are [always] hungry", and "we [have] no clothes". (33) I do not know how to accept this fact of having to leave you. "Grampa.. had to kill the Indians and drive them away" for you. (34) Furthermore, "Pa was born here, and he killed weeds and snakes". (33) We continued to stay here despite of the many obstacles.

We thought that perhaps we can do what Grampa and Pa did. Maybe we can "kill [the] banks or [monsters]", just as Grampa killed the Indians and Pa killed snakes for this land.(34) Despite the possibilities, the tenants said that "[we] have to go" because of the "monster". (34) The thought of this separation breaks our hearts. We wanted to let you know that even if we are forced to leave you, we will forever have this deep connection with you. We will try our best to stay.

Love,
Tom Joad