The Dance and the Vigilantes

Chronicles the attempt by outside forces to disrupt the Weedpatch camp's dance and the community's successful defense.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

The Warning

The Plot Revealed Mr. Thomas's Tip Mr. Thomas, the farmer Tom works for, warns Timothy Wallace that the Farmers' Association plans to start a fight at the Saturday dance. Deputies will be waiting to raid the camp. The Central Committee is alerted. The Committee Meeting Ezra Huston, the chairman, calls a meeting. They decide to handle the provocateurs quietly. Willie Eaton, head of the Entertainment Committee, recruits extra men to watch for trouble. The Preparation The camp prepares. Guards are posted at the fence. The dance will go on, but the community is ready. The Joads are involved in the defense.

The Dance Begins

The Celebration The Music The string band plays. The migrants dance. The Joads attend. Rose of Sharon watches from the sidelines. The atmosphere is joyful. The Provocateurs Arrive Three young men enter the dance. They are identified as potential troublemakers. The Entertainment Committee watches them closely. The dancers are unaware of the tension. The Calm Before The dance proceeds without incident. The provocateurs wait for an opportunity. The community's vigilance keeps them in check. The night is peaceful so far.

The Ejection

The Quiet Removal The Attempt One of the provocateurs tries to start a fight over a dance partner. Instantly, the Entertainment Committee surrounds them. They are grabbed and hustled off the dance floor. The Interrogation The three men are taken to Ezra Huston. He questions them. They admit they were paid to cause trouble. Huston lets them go over the back fence with a warning. The Aftermath The dance continues. The deputies waiting outside leave when they see no riot. The camp has defended itself without violence. The community's solidarity is strengthened.

the day before the dance

Saturday evening

during the dance