The banks had a major role in the farmers' lifes. The bank gave loans to the farmers and when the men could not pay the loans the bank took the farms. The farmers did not want to leave, so they worked as tenet farmers. The bank did not care about the farmers and just wanted the biggest profits possible. Since the bank did not care about the future for the farmers. They dried the land out by only planting cotton every year. Some of the farmers were no longer needed, so the bank kicked them off their previously owned land. The bank forced farmers in the area to kick the people off, because they owed the bank money. The farmers did not want to do this, but it meant they could keep on providing for their families.
This separated families and friends. It made the farmers fight for themselves and everything they got. They were trying to protect no just their families, but their hopes and dreams. If they lost their lively hood they could no longer strive for the American dream. The American dream was the only reason why they did what they did. It brought hope to the poor and happiness to the rich. This is what drove every American to fight even when they had nothing. Just the thought that they could make life better for the people they care about was enough. They would do anything to achieve this goal. If that meant betraying your friends and taking advantage of others it did not matter. The only thing that mattered was that you and your family was happy.
Matt, I enjoyed reading your thoughtful post. It is easy to see that you are making great connections to the difficulties that have taken place within the novel. When you understand the "why's" of the situation, it provides deeper thinking about the reactions of the families.
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