The Grapes of Wrath
Graphic Organizer
Directions: After rereading the text, create four charts
like the one on the next slide. Write answers to each
question in the "My Response" section. Support each
response in the "Evidence from the Text" section. After
you are given time to talk to a classmate and share
ideas, complete the "My Thoughts Now" section based
on your conversation.
My Response
Evidence from the Text
My Thoughts Now (after discussing with a partner)
1. A man and his two young sons approach a diner
to purchase bread. Explain the man's situation.
What is the man trying to accomplish? What is
Mae's job? What is the conflict in their interaction?
2. Humility can be defined as having a clear
perspective, and therefore respect, for one's
situation or the state of being humble. List all three
phrases in the excerpt that include the word
humility. What does each adjective explain about
the man's behavior?
3. Identify and describe the places where Mae is
confronted by the Man’s humility.
4. Initially, Mae denies the man’s request to sell him
bread for ten cents. How does the man respond to
Mae’s denial? What does his response reveal
about the man? How do his responses help him
accomplish his goal?
The Grapes of Wrath
Evidence-Based Questions
Directions: Answer the following questions. Refer to
the reading passage with your annotations and the
graphic organizer to help you answer these questions.
Later you may use these resources when you respond
to a writing prompt your teacher will give you.
1. Humility is defined as understanding and accepting
one's situation and, therefore, respect for oneself. It
is also defined as the state of being humble.
Describe and explain two examples from the excerpt
where you see the man demonstrate these concepts
of humility.
2. In the last exchange between Mae and the man,
Steinbeck uses dashes to emphasize Mae's moment
of indecision regarding the candy. Why does Mae
hesitate? What does this moment of hesitation
illustrate about Mae's attitude toward the family?
3. At the end of the excerpt, we see Mae's change in
attitude toward the family. How does the man's
humility cause the change in Mae's attitude?
Writing Task
Directions: Please respond to the following prompt in
writing. You may use your notes and graphic organizers
with responses to the evidence-based questions to inform
your writing.
Remember To:
Identify and explain examples of the man's humility
Identify and explain three key examples where we see a
change in Mae's attitude toward the man.
Include concrete details (verbatim and/or paraphrased) from
the text.
Be Sure To:
Introduce your topic clearly.
Include relevant facts, definitions, concrete details, quotes, or
other information so your writing is thoroughly developed.
Use appropriate transitions.
Use precise language and vocabulary in your analysis for a
clear explanation. Establish and maintain a formal style.
Use standard grammar and conventions of writing.
Conclude effectively
Writing Task
Writing Prompt
In the excerpt from John Steinbeck's The Grapes of
Wrath, we are introduced to a man who needs to buy
tens cents worth of bread for his family, and Mae, the
waitress who works at the diner: Review the excerpt,
your work in the graphic organizer and the evidencebased questions. Write an essay in which you explain
how the man's "insistent" and "inflexible" humility
influences Mae's behavior. Use evidence from the text to
support your explanation.