Ezra Huston Quotes

In the tent of Ezra Huston, chairman, the Central Committee of five men went into meeting. Huston, a tall spare man, wind-blackened, with eyes like little blades, spoke to his committee, one man from each sanitary unit.

– John Steinbeck

The Grapes of Wrath, Chapter 24. This chapter explores the theme of togetherness at Weedpatch. At the government camp migrants successfully govern themselves. In this passage their representatives led by Ezra Huston meet to devise a plan to preempt a riot planned by the Farmers’ Association with the collusion of police. Huston is an important and influential leader figure among the migrant workers. Therefore he is regarded as a threat by the authorities, with police keen to arrest him. In a simile his eyes are likened to "little blades," suggesting his sharpness and alertness.

"I think we oughta squash the hell out of em, an’ show ’em."
"No," said Huston. "That’s what they want. No, sir. If they can git a fight goin’, then they can run in the cops an’ say we ain’t orderly. They tried it before – other places."

– John Steinbeck

The Grapes of Wrath, Chapter 24. At the Weedpatch camp migrants put together a plan to prevent a riot incited by troublemakers sent by the Farmers’ Association. One man tells the Central Committee meeting that they should rough up any instigators found at the dance. But chairman Ezra Huston is a peace-loving man who believes in fighting the inhumanity of police and employers with humane means. He tells his men not to hurt the troublemakers. A plan is agreed to surround them and escort them out from the dance.

"We ain’t gonna hurt you. Now who tol’ you to come bus’ up our dance?" He waited for a reply. "You’re our own folks," Huston said sadly. "You belong with us. How’d you happen to come? We know all about it," he added.
"Well, goddamn it, a fella got to eat."

– John Steinbeck

The Grapes of Wrath, Chapter 24. The Farmers’ Association callously exploits the hunger of migrants to recruit three of them to cause trouble for fellow migrants at Weedpatch. But despite their betrayal, Ezra Huston and his Central Committee show their humanity by not hurting them.

"Don’t knife your own folks. We’re tryin’ to get along, havin’ fun an’ keepin’ order. Don’t tear all that down. Jes’ think about it. You’re jes’ harmin’ yourself. Awright, boys, put ’em over the back fence. An’ don’t hurt ’em. They don’t know what they’re doin’."

– John Steinbeck

The Grapes of Wrath, Chapter 24. Ezra Huston’s forgiveness of the three migrant troublemakers intending to start a riot at Weedpatch echoes the final words of Jesus dying on the cross. According to Luke 23:24 Jesus said: "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." Migrant leader Huston’s humanity stands in stark contrast to the betrayal of the troublemakers and cruelty of the Farmers’ Association who sent them.
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