Part 1: Chapter 3 Summary and Analysis

Steinbeck prepares for his journey with Rocinante parked beneath big oak trees at his house on the tip of Long Island. He reflects on the strong desire in nearly everyone to do what he is about to do, just pick up and take off to somewhere else. A boy of thirteen years comes by often to watch as the author packs the truck full of more things than he will every need, anticipating every sort of emergency situation, truck breakdown and tires stuck in mud or rocks. The boy never says a word until toward the end of the packing. He then begs Steinbeck to take him along, promising to do anything the author needs. Steinbeck gently says no, that the boy's parents and the authorities would not like the idea. The boy leaves crestfallen.

The packing process takes...