Inner Chapters

In the article John Steinbeck's "The Grapes of Wrath": The Inner Chapters the author of the article goes on to explain why the inner chapters were placed where they were and why. From letters and interviews from Steinbeck, Steinbeck goes on to explain that the inner chapters were placed very precisely and double inner chapters were there for a reason. Many readers also wrote to Steinbeck as to why the first chapter is an inner chapter. Steinbeck wanted the first chapter to be a inner chapter to set the stage for the rest of the book and have everyone be nameless. He used this because he didn't want readers to think that the Joad's journey was special, he even referred to them as the "generals". He wanted the readers to understand that though these families are different they are still going through the same struggle which is the Great Depression. Steinbeck also goes on to explain that all the inner chapters link together. https://edsitement.neh.gov/lesson-plan/john-steinbecks-grapes-wrath-inner-chapters