A series of topics that I don't have enough materiel to write an entire blog post about all combined to make some sort of super topic part 3

As a continuation of the side characters in the novel who in some way shape, or form, caused some sort of enlightenment in the characterization of the main characters, or the overall setting, I will devote half of this pose to the gas station owner. To be more specific, he is the owner of the gas station where the dog was killed at. He is of great symbolic importance, because he represents the plight of the small business owners in this truly horrific time. As in he is simply a humble man trying to compete with the fancy gas stations, while at the same time failing horribly. Typically all of his customers are broke, and are simply asking for donations, or they are of the few who feel like helping their fellow blighted man. Seriously, how any business can survive in this circumstance is an absolute miracle, I mean just look at the circumstances. There are thousands of people migrating, and the majority of them are poorer that dirt. So how anyone can afford to actually buy gas repeatedly is nearly impossible due to no one having a job. Thus making the stores have minimal sales causing them to go out of business, creating even more jobless bums. So thats my say about the plight of the gas stations and such, on to the next adventure. Which is about the community being portrayed as a symbol. Community is seen as the only saving grace during this time of dust and bowls. As all the migrants assemble into camps and go about their business, whilst at the same time relying on the aid of others. Symbolically speaking, it's saying that your fellow man is the only thing that can get you through a tragedy like this. Without other people to help bear the burdens, a normal person would lose their sanity, thus causing even more problems. You see where I'm going with this, it's all just one big circle of problem after problem.

Steinbeck, John, and Robert J. DeMott. The Grapes of Wrath. New York: Penguin, 2006. Print.