summary

Summary Chapter 9 deals with the process tenant farmers must go through to be able to leave for what they think will be a better life in California. The farmers and their wives must first choose what things they are able to bring with them, and what they are forced to sell. The farmers must go to thought brokers in order to sell their belongings. These brokers are unfair and buy the items for a very cheap price, because they know the farmers are in no position to argue for a higher price. The farmer is then forced to go home and disappoint his family with the small amount he was able to get for such meaningful items. They then reminisce on all the memories each of their belongings has. When they finally leave they wonder how they will be able to be themselves if they have lost their past, which had been such an important part of their lives.