Most of the characters in The Grapes of Wrath are well portrayed with great backstories and their own personalities. For instance, Ma is a strong female lead character that makes her presence known throughout the novel through her leadership skills and dialogue. But then we have characters like Noah and Connie, who are not as detailed as much as any of the other individuals. I believe that Steinbeck purposefully created them this way so that their actions described them more accurately than their words. Noah has always been a silent character with a poor connection to his family. When he told Tom that he was staying at the river, it was a clear indicator of his selfishness. While departing from his family did make him sad, his ulterior motive won out over friendship and family.
Why didn't Steinbeck develop Noah's character more ? Do you think it's a flaw or does it serve a greater purpose? Be sure to reply whatever your thoughts may be on this subject. Any comments and ideas are appreciated!
Friday, July 28, 2017
Cecelia Barnett
Hello everyone! This post belongs to Cecelia Barnett!
The Jungle
Do you think Steinbeck and Sinclair had the same purpose in mind when writing their novels?
They are very similar novels due to the economic and social problems the characters face. Both books show how one cannot succeed in a country like this if they follow the rules. In The Jungle Jurgis wishes to be rich in America while the Joads just want to find work to survive. Both face the economic problems from the Joads having to sell all their belongings and only getting a small amount while Jurgis has horrible working conditions(pay and such) Both novels reveal that no matter how hard you try you can't succeed unless you have a one-sided view. I think both writers wanted their audience to see the deplorable things that happened in that time. Yes I believe that they had the same purpose of writing these novels.
The Jungle
Do you think Steinbeck and Sinclair had the same purpose in mind when writing their novels?
They are very similar novels due to the economic and social problems the characters face. Both books show how one cannot succeed in a country like this if they follow the rules. In The Jungle Jurgis wishes to be rich in America while the Joads just want to find work to survive. Both face the economic problems from the Joads having to sell all their belongings and only getting a small amount while Jurgis has horrible working conditions(pay and such) Both novels reveal that no matter how hard you try you can't succeed unless you have a one-sided view. I think both writers wanted their audience to see the deplorable things that happened in that time. Yes I believe that they had the same purpose of writing these novels.
Cecelia Barnett
Hello everyone! This post is on behalf of Ceceila Barnett, not mine.
What is your reaction to the final closing statement?
Good Morning Everyone,
My reaction to the end is that when Rose offers to feed the man I feel that it represents survival and re-birth. It shows how help unifies the community and how they have to help each other to stay alive in a place where everyone doesn't want them not there. since the fact that Tom is in the woods isolated and doesn't plan to go back to his family, but he tells his mother that even though he is alone he has realized what his real purpose is live his life to Christ like Casy. To help the collective good. I thought the ending could have gone more in depth and go in depth in their life a little later like 5 years later. To the overall ending I was happy with how the book ended and how the author portrayed the time frame.
What is your reaction to the final closing statement?
Good Morning Everyone,
My reaction to the end is that when Rose offers to feed the man I feel that it represents survival and re-birth. It shows how help unifies the community and how they have to help each other to stay alive in a place where everyone doesn't want them not there. since the fact that Tom is in the woods isolated and doesn't plan to go back to his family, but he tells his mother that even though he is alone he has realized what his real purpose is live his life to Christ like Casy. To help the collective good. I thought the ending could have gone more in depth and go in depth in their life a little later like 5 years later. To the overall ending I was happy with how the book ended and how the author portrayed the time frame.
Thursday, July 27, 2017
Grapes of Wrath Chapter 24 Ideas and Incite
How Is Tom Becoming A Dynamic Character?
Since the start of the beginning of the book, we find that Tom is not the nicest of characters. He is rather hot headed and extremely defensive of his past. Along the trip west we find that Tom has been changing bit by bit. In a sense, he has become more mellowed out, especially after spending time at the government camp. There are multiple events that lead up to this point, but I want to know what others think about how Tom has changed from the person he was in the beginning. Would you say that he has become more of a leader, or is he less impulsive and violent than what he used to be?
Be sure to let me know.
Monday, July 24, 2017
Chapter 28 Question
What do you guys think on Tom's decision to leave the family and go down a path that got Casy killed? I think it was right for him to leave to protect his family from the authorities, but leaving them to pursue a dangerous life only left Ma worried for her son. What do you guys think about this topic?
Chapter 22: The Grapes of Wrath
In what way does the government camp differ from the Hoovervilles/ makeshift camps?
Good Morning everyone!
Chapter 22 marks the start of a "new" life for the Joads, maybe forever or for a while... They enter this government camp where it drastically differs from the other camps: in the aspects of running water; hot or cold, toilets, a bed, a nice tent, dances every Saturday, no cops, their own rules, and people who care for them. The text states, "Central committee keeps order and makes rules. Then there's the ladies. They call on your Ma. They keep care of kids an' look after the sanitary units..." (Steinbeck, 1996, p. 287) According to this chapter and text, the government is ten times better than Hooverville. The Joads are welcomed, not to mention, excited to be there. The government camp also does a nice job of being organized and making their own rules. Although jobs are limited, it doesn't become an issue until further in the novel. The government camp is united by the people and not disunited by the cops, but like I said, the only downside is the fact that jobs are limited: the reason the Joads traveled west is for a job.
I hope this helps! Feel free to add on or take away. :)
Good Morning everyone!
Chapter 22 marks the start of a "new" life for the Joads, maybe forever or for a while... They enter this government camp where it drastically differs from the other camps: in the aspects of running water; hot or cold, toilets, a bed, a nice tent, dances every Saturday, no cops, their own rules, and people who care for them. The text states, "Central committee keeps order and makes rules. Then there's the ladies. They call on your Ma. They keep care of kids an' look after the sanitary units..." (Steinbeck, 1996, p. 287) According to this chapter and text, the government is ten times better than Hooverville. The Joads are welcomed, not to mention, excited to be there. The government camp also does a nice job of being organized and making their own rules. Although jobs are limited, it doesn't become an issue until further in the novel. The government camp is united by the people and not disunited by the cops, but like I said, the only downside is the fact that jobs are limited: the reason the Joads traveled west is for a job.
I hope this helps! Feel free to add on or take away. :)
Sunday, July 23, 2017
The Grapes of Wrath: Chapter 20 and 21 Question
Read the following excerpts and explain why Steinbeck may have decided on The Grapes of Wrath title.
Hello readers! I have been stuck with this question for quite awhile and I don't know how to answer it no matter how much research I do. I get that it is a biblical reference but I don't understand why Steinbeck chose The Grapes of Wrath as the title of this novel. Can someone help me on this?
Thursday, July 20, 2017
Chapter 8
Describe Uncle John from Tom's point of view.
Uncle John in Tom's point of view is seen as lonely, crazy and mean. Tom states, " Loniest goddamn man in the world ... Crazy kind of son-of-a-b**** too- somepin like Muley, on'y worse in some way" (Steinbeck, 1996, p.68). The quote displays Tom's negative perception of his Uncle based on his years of knowing him. He also heard a story from his father about something crazy that John was responsible for. The story was that he had a wife who had a stomach pain and wanted to go to the doctor, but he didn't take it seriously and called it a stomach ache. She ended up dying the next day because he condition was much more serious. This story aids in the crazy reputation he had and his wife being the only family he had made him lonely after her loss.
If anyone wants to elaborate or add more that be great!!
Thanks:)
Uncle John in Tom's point of view is seen as lonely, crazy and mean. Tom states, " Loniest goddamn man in the world ... Crazy kind of son-of-a-b**** too- somepin like Muley, on'y worse in some way" (Steinbeck, 1996, p.68). The quote displays Tom's negative perception of his Uncle based on his years of knowing him. He also heard a story from his father about something crazy that John was responsible for. The story was that he had a wife who had a stomach pain and wanted to go to the doctor, but he didn't take it seriously and called it a stomach ache. She ended up dying the next day because he condition was much more serious. This story aids in the crazy reputation he had and his wife being the only family he had made him lonely after her loss.
If anyone wants to elaborate or add more that be great!!
Thanks:)
Chapter 7 Question
Hi guys! I hope you're Summer has been great! I have a question about chapter 7 and I wanted to ask what you guys may have thought what the point of this chapter was. I had thought that maybe this chapter was to give background information on what is happening during the time everyone is moving to California, but I somehow feel there's more to this chapter than that. If anyone would like to comment below and express what they think I would be extremely greatful for the feedback! Thank you in advance and hope to see you all soon! :)
Wednesday, July 19, 2017
chapter 5
Good afternoon, I would just like to put my perspective on why it's evident that Steinbeck wrote from a third person omniscient point of view. It is evident that the author is writing from a third person omniscient point of view because Steinbeck shifts from character to character allowing the readers to really conceptualize the lives of the characters, for example, in chapter 1 the story is being told from the farmers perspective but in chapter 2 Steinbeck is using a truck drivers perspective. As the story moves along Steinbeck dramatically shifts and rotates the characters to enable the reader to read some of the thoughts and feelings of the characters at specific important points. Moreover, this specific point of view can definitely be the most affective point of view for Steinbeck's purpose because throughout the chapters we can occasionally get into the mind of the characters and get a close glimpse of their feelings, he lets the readers know when, why, and where everything is happening keeping the readers enlightened and diverted as the story moves along. If anyone has anything to add or correct please feel free to do so. I just wanted to get this specific chapter on the blog because I felt like I can get more opinions on why Steinbeck chose this point of view.
Thanks :)
Saturday, July 15, 2017
Chapter 3
Hello, sorry for such a late appearance, Ive had such a busy summer and didn't have time. Anyways, I would love to add my input in one of the chapters I previously worked on, Chapter 3. Steinbeck's description of the setting in this chapter can be described as metaphorical because in the first chapter it shows how dust is a huge barrier in the life of the farmers. For example, "Now the dust was evenly mixed with the air, an emulsion of dust and air. Houses were shut tight, and cloth wedged around doors and windows, but the dust came in so thinly that it can not be seen in the air, and it settled like pollen on the chairs and tables, and on the dishes" (Steinbeck, 1989, P.3). This quote exemplifies how the dust was a huge deterrent at this point, it explains how the dust continues to collide with the only clean air the farmers and their families have. Through out the chapter Steinbeck also provides us information on how the crops were being destroyed and were dying with no way to save them. Likewise, in chapter 3 the turtle in the road can have a metaphoric effect with the first chapter because as the turtle took the road, many avoided him but one light truck driver did not have the same reaction, instead intentionally hitting it and rolling it off the high way. When the poor turtle was struck it had a grueling time getting up because of some thing we witnessed in the first chapter; dust. In essence, "And as the turtle crawled on down the embankment, its shell dragged over the seeds. The turtle entered a dust road and jerked itself along, drawing a wavy shallow trench in the dust with its shell. His yellow toe nails slipped a fraction in the dust" (Steinbeck, 1989, P.16). Lastly this quote reveals how difficult it was for this little guy to get back up and keep on moving, the dust was making it tiresome and extra difficult. To wrap this up, I believe that dust was a big obstacle that was pretty hard for both settings in the 1st and 3rd chapter and can be used metaphorically. If anyone has anything to add please feel free, would love some more opinions, Thanks,
Thursday, July 6, 2017
The Grapes of Wrath: Chapter 13
In this chapter, how has the narrator's statement from the end of chapter twelve been validated in: "there will be instances both of bitter cruelty and life affirming beauty"
The narrator told the audience about two things: life and death. At the end of chapter twelve, the author stated, "there will be instances of both bitter cruelty and life affirming beauty." (Steinbeck, 1996, p.122) This quotes was demonstrated in this chapter, chapter 13, and was validated through the use of exposition and rising action. When the author speaks about bitter cruelty, he is reffering to death, more specifically, Grampa's. The Joads expierenced bitter cruelty at the time of his death; while also experiencing life affirming beauty. In this novel, life affirming beauty ties in with the theme: social unity. When they meet the Wilsons in this chapter, the audience was introduced to a more hopeful tone rather then social disunity. Meeting the Wilsons is life affirming beauty becasue with the help of others, people can achieve much more things than if they were alone: the beauty of life. To wrap up, bitter cruelty is death; life affirming beauty is social unity.
I hope this helps, please feel free to add or subtract! :)
The narrator told the audience about two things: life and death. At the end of chapter twelve, the author stated, "there will be instances of both bitter cruelty and life affirming beauty." (Steinbeck, 1996, p.122) This quotes was demonstrated in this chapter, chapter 13, and was validated through the use of exposition and rising action. When the author speaks about bitter cruelty, he is reffering to death, more specifically, Grampa's. The Joads expierenced bitter cruelty at the time of his death; while also experiencing life affirming beauty. In this novel, life affirming beauty ties in with the theme: social unity. When they meet the Wilsons in this chapter, the audience was introduced to a more hopeful tone rather then social disunity. Meeting the Wilsons is life affirming beauty becasue with the help of others, people can achieve much more things than if they were alone: the beauty of life. To wrap up, bitter cruelty is death; life affirming beauty is social unity.
I hope this helps, please feel free to add or subtract! :)
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