In this intercalary chapter, John Steinbeck calls upon one of Nature's most well adapted creatures to represent not only Tom Joad and the entire Joad family, but in a much larger sense, to symbolize the entire family of mankind as he struggles to eke out and existence in a world filled with obstacles.
             Nature has equipped the land turtle with exactly what it needs for basic survival; however, the obstacles by humans push him to his limits. Steinbeck points that the turtle can endure by showing the turtle's ability to crush the red ant. Steinbeck also portrays the obstacles faced by the turtle by stating "The barley beards slid off his shell, and the clover burrs fell on him and rolled to the ground" (20). However, Steinbeck shows how the turtle has difficulty competing against man and that which is manmade by portraying the struggle the turtle had climbing the embankment. In addition, Steinbeck displayed the turtle's struggle against man when the truck driver deliberately tried to hit the turtle causing it to flip over. Steinbeck shows that the turtle is prepared for whatever Nature may present him with, but all that is relative to man will cause the turtle to strain.
             Just like the turtle, Tom Joad and the Joad family face obstacle after obstacle that push them to the limits of their own endurance. For example, the Joads overcome many hurdles on their journey to California. When Granma died, the family went through a difficult time. However, Ma uses Granma as an explanation for continuing when they are stopped. This is relative to the instance with the turtle because although the turtle struggles flipping itself back over, there is a small benefit to the situation: the turtle plants the wild oat seeds. Despite not being as significant as the Joads making it through the border, it still displays that although one may encounter obstacles, the situation can result positively in at least one aspect....