The chapters take away from the narrative and can be distracting to readers. I was confused when I first began reading Chapter Three because it did not follow the storyline. However the intercalary chapters provide insight to the story without overcrowding a reader in details of the time period because they are told in intervals. It makes it easier to fully remember and understand the narrative chapters as well because readers are not overwhelmed with the long journey of the Joad family. The chapters may be distracting at first but can also help readers better comprehend the story. Steinbeck’s technical decision to include the intercalary chapters gives readers a better chance at understanding the setting of the novel and help readers be fully aware of the difficult journey the Joad family embarked on, giving readers a better chance at connecting with the novel.
In conclusion, the intercalary chapters in the novel The Grapes of Wrath written by John Steinbeck provide insight on the setting without overcrowding readers with the narrative. Readers are given a better chance to connect with the novel by understanding how other characters besides the Joad family felt during this time period. The chapters being told in intervals also helps readers understand and remember the narrative better as