The most engaging chapter of the reading we did in the Grapes of Wrath recently, would probably have to be Chapter 12. It is a characterization of travelers headed west in general. The struggles of starvation, poverty, and thirst among them; often times their children. It also showed the frustration people had with the crooked salemen. They would hike prices of parts and tires just because they saw people were in need of something. The people would be so furious that they wanted to haul off on them--as they should. It opens up and exposes how someone should question their faith in other humans.
The frustration is personified in the following passage...
Traveler: "Open her up, look a' the casing--you son-of-a-bitch, you said the casing was good. She's damn near broke through."
Salesman: "The hell she is. Well--by George! How come I didn' see that?"
Traveler: "You did see it, you son-of-a-bitch. You wanta charge us four bucks for a busted casing. I'd like to take a sock at you."
I have to agree that chapter twelve was the most engaging chapter. That chapter really showed how people would take advantage of any situation as long as it benefited them. The crooked salesmen like the one in your quote really helps bring this theme out.
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