Why did three men at the dance try to start a riot?

Study for the Grapes of Wrath Test with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question has hints and explanations.Get ready for your exam!

Multiple Choice

Why did three men at the dance try to start a riot?

Explanation:
The main idea tested here is that violence in this scene is not random or caused by personal grievances, but is being orchestrated from outside for a specific purpose. The three men aren’t depicted as simply enjoying the dance; they stand apart as if they’ve been hired to create trouble. That detail points to a deliberate manipulation—money changing hands to provoke a riot. This reflects a larger pattern in the narrative: powerful interests use paid agitators to intimidate the migrant community, disrupt gatherings, and pressure people to leave. Why this fits best: paying them to start trouble explains why the riot would erupt in a moment that otherwise seems like a normal social activity. The other options suggest personal feelings (disliking dancing, jealousy about a girlfriend, or political anger) that the scene doesn’t substantiate; the text presents the motive as economic control rather than individual grudges.

The main idea tested here is that violence in this scene is not random or caused by personal grievances, but is being orchestrated from outside for a specific purpose. The three men aren’t depicted as simply enjoying the dance; they stand apart as if they’ve been hired to create trouble. That detail points to a deliberate manipulation—money changing hands to provoke a riot. This reflects a larger pattern in the narrative: powerful interests use paid agitators to intimidate the migrant community, disrupt gatherings, and pressure people to leave.

Why this fits best: paying them to start trouble explains why the riot would erupt in a moment that otherwise seems like a normal social activity. The other options suggest personal feelings (disliking dancing, jealousy about a girlfriend, or political anger) that the scene doesn’t substantiate; the text presents the motive as economic control rather than individual grudges.

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