The Grapes of Wrath

How are the government camps different from the Hoovervilles' camps? What is effective about the way they are run?

Grapes of Wrath

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Hooverville: An independent camp of migrant workers the Joads join when they arrive in California. The camp is filthy and the residents are hopeless. There is no work to be had near the camp, and the local police have burned down the camp repeatedly. The mayor of Hooverville has adopted a complacent attitude toward his situation. He acts dumb and docile and always returns when his home is burned down. Here the Joads first witness the cruelty of the police when one deputy attempts to arrest one migrant without evidence and carelessly shoots off another migrant's hand.

Government Camp: A migrant camp subsidized by the government. This camp has running water and toilets. It is also governed by the migrants themselves and off-limits for police officers without a warrant. Here the Joads' hope is revived. Their lives regain some dignity and stability. The migrants in this camp demonstrate that they can effectively organize when they successfully ward off an outside attempt to start a riot within the camp.

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Weedpatch, a government camp has hot running water, showers, and real toilets. It is filled with decent people, but the Joad men can't find steady work so they leave.

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Grapes of Wrath