And now they were weary and frightened because they had gone against a system they did not understand and it had beaten them. They knew that the team and the wagon were worth much more. They knew the buyer man would get much more, but they didn't know how to do it. Merchandising was a secret to them.
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The characters in "The Grapes of Wrath" find themselves overwhelmed and fearful after confronting an unfamiliar system that has ultimately defeated them. Despite their awareness of the true value of their team and wagon, they feel powerless because they lack the knowledge and tools necessary to navigate the complexities of trade and commerce.
This sense of helplessness highlights their struggle against systemic forces they cannot control. The characters’ inability to understand merchandising reveals a deep divide between their hard work and the realities of economic exploitation, emphasizing the challenges faced by those who are marginalized in a capitalist society.
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