Theme and Symbol of Chapter 26

The theme of family and fellowship and also those that are in the same situation is reinforced in chapter 26. In the Joad family they all have to stick together to help the family stay alive. If it weren't for the whole family working in the field picking peaches, barely any food would be put on the "table" for the family to eat. Even less food than they are getting. Everyone in the family sticks up for each other and makes sure that none of them are getting anymore than the others. The man in the store gave Ma a dime to get sugar because he was very possibly in the same situation as Ma and the Joad family. He decided that it wouldn't hurt to much if he lent her a dime since he knew that she had money about to come in. Then later in the chapter, Tom decides he is going to leave as to not get the family into trouble. Of course Ma puts her foot down and says no. After they leave the peach farm they go to the cotton farm. Here the Joad family works while Tom hides in the culvert. The Joad family sneaks food to him. This is just another sign of family and how they stick together to get things done. They also don't want to lose anymore family member, but even though Tom can't work because of his face, the family still feeds him and doesn't want him to go away.

One symbol in chapter 26
The house that they lived in at the peach farm was really crappy. It is a symbol of the Company taking advantage of unfortunate people.