Chapters 11 - 15, Assignment B

     Route 66 is one of the most recognizable pieces of infrastructure in the United States of America. The government originally passed legislation to pave this road in 1926 as a way to connect Chicago, Illinois to Los Angeles, California.                    
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However, it was not built linearly in between these two cities but zig-zagged its way across the country in an effort to connect the streets of urban communities with those of rural ones; this would be the first time many small towns would have access to a major road. Although it is called a highway, its by no respects like those of our modern world. Route 66 was only a two-lane road. This highway also created opportunities for many businesses to open along its route. Countless motels, diners, gas stations, and car shops opened to profit off of the travelers' helplessness.It has since then become a part of popular culture because of John Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath, and it being used as the setting for the Disney-Pixar animated film, "Cars".

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     Route 66 is very significant to the Joad family and all the other migrants traveling on it. They all realize the harsh reality of traveling the seemingly endless 2000 mile stretch. It is not a friendly place because just like them, there are thousands upon thousands other migrants searching for work in California. It ends up being a futile attempt at a better life, especially for the Joads. They are first taken advantage of by brokers who purchase their goods at ridiculously low prices. Then, they are scammed by salesman at the car dealers. And then Grandpa passes away. They are trying to escape a terrible life in Oklahoma by traveling the hellish Route 66 to go to California with no guarantee that their life will be any better.

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Sources:
http://adventure.howstuffworks.com/route-66.htm
http://www.national66.org/resources/history-of-route-66/