I absolutely loved Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck. I was moved by the touching scenes of the Joads' family especially when the baby was born stillbirth. I also loved how Steinbeck switches point of view from 3rd person limited to 3rd person omniscient. It provides view not just from one families experiences, but every ones experiences. I also loved the symbolism that conveys certain themes of the book. Truly, Grapes of Wrath is a beautiful piece of writing that provides a stunning image of life in the Great Depression.
Steinbeck's choice of changing point of view in chapters truly provide a wonderful images in the Great Depression. I think Steinbeck wanted to convey that the Joads experience in the Depression did not just happen to them. The 3rd person omniscient point of view showed me that everyone suffered during the Depression. I think that Steinbeck wanted to show the Joads' family is only a tiny part of a bigger concept. The omniscient point of view provide the bigger concept that involves every person in the Midwest and California. That point of view could probably could go further and showed how everyone in the United States suffered in the Great Depression.
From my last blog, I really focused on the symbolism in Grapes of Wrath. Steinbeck used countless symbolism to convey themes of greed, burdens, self sacrifice and protection. One example of the symbolism of the theme of greed is the crooked car salesmen and the greedy bankers/landowners. These men wanted to receive money even if it meant to hurt others to get it. The salesman switched good parts for bad, then they would say it will run great and sell it for more than its worth. The bankers/landowners want money, so they resort by evicting the family from their land, and if they don't leave they threaten to run them over with a tractor. This shows me that the theme could be greed makes good men do horrible things. Another symbol is Rose of Sharon holding the dying man who starved himself, so his son could eat. This showed me a theme of protection is in human nature and self sacrifice for family is the greatest honor a man can receive. It is in human nature to protect the young or the dying. Rose of Sharon had just lost her child, and showed compassion and offered protection for the dying man. The man also decided to sacrifice himself to protect his son from dying. To protect our family even if it meant to sacrifice our life was honored by Rose of Sharon holding the man while he died. The final example of the wonderful symbolism is probably the most important of all. This is the symbolism in Chapter 25 where it says "In the Souls of people, the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." This shows burdens of men grow heavier and heavier. The theme is when the burdens grow heavier, men can either let them cause problems or try to make it better. Through out the story, The Joads' family try to make better a situation and make a better life for themselves. In conclusion, the moving symbolism clearly conveyed many themes in this story.
Although at first I was skeptical of reading this book, I absolutely fell in love with it. I loved the moving story and wonderful round characters of the Joads' family. Also, Steinbeck's use of changing point of view really showed me the hardships of living in the Great Depression era. Finally the symbolism really made me think of the many themes hidden within the pages of the story. In conclusion, Steinbeck's, Grapes of Wrath, truly was an intriguing book to read, as well as being one of my favorite books.
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I also liked the books symbolism and image, but I have to disagree with the whole changing points of view thing. I became extremely confused and lost when the first switch happened. I wasn't sure if I was reading about the Joad family or a different person or what. I also want to know what you mean by "To protect our family even if it meant to sacrifice our life was honored..." I got the impression that the guy was going to live. Also I think Rose of Sharon (gosh I really got annoyed by reading that name) was the only one in the family that did not contribute to the family gain, and more to the family suffering. In the end was the only part Rose of Sharon did something, and not even for her family. Was your favorite character Rose of Sharon? I have to say she was my least favorite. She was always complaining and wanting things
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that The Grapes of Wrath was a very good book and Steinbeck diduse great symbolism. Also ,I'm glad you cleared me up on what the quote, "In the Souls of people, the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage," because I really didn't understand what it meant when I read it. I also believe that greed and self sacrifice are a few of the themes in the book, but I think that the sales peoples' greed could have also been linked to them struggling through the depression and also sacrificing kindness to others, to take care of their families. I do not believe that they were just mean people as the book showed when a family friend of the Joads was going to tear down their house, but he had to because his kids needed to eat.
ReplyDeleteI like your blog alot and wanted to say that I like how your perspective was that the book was touching instead of depressing.
ReplyDeleteThanks Destiny for your comment.
ReplyDeleteSwimmer, the quote from my opinion made it seem that he was dying because of him starving himself, but its all a matter of perspective. Rose of Sharon was not my favorite character through out the book because of the whinning and complaining, but at the end of the chapter, I saw her personal growth when she holds the man.
Kayla S., I understand that the salesman and the family friend were not mean people, but they were portrayed in that light for me. I understand that the need to feed their families which is not a selfish gain, but in the ways they achieved it were greedy and selfish
"In the Souls of people, the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." Okay, I really like this quote as well. Let's break it down. Think about what the word wrath means. Now, think about the situation when this quote is said. I think you are right that the burdens of men grow heavier and heavier, but the wrath is also growing and getting heavy. The migrant workers are about ready to stand up and be done with the unjust treatment. These people are tired of being mistreated and don't want to deal with it anymore. So, what do you think? I like how you focus on some of the themes, but choose one and really elaborate on it. I would like to hear what you have to say about it in detail. Good job!
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ReplyDeleteThank you for helping break down the quote for me. I really now have a better understanding of the quote. I focused on one theme even though I mentioned some themes because I believe the theme I wanted to elaborate more on maybe a more confusing theme explaining it to others.
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