InGrapes of Wrath chapter 5 the prompt is: So far, how is it evident that Grapes of Wrath was written from a third-person omniscient point of view? Why might this p.o.v. be the most effective for Steinbeck's purpose?
So far, it is evident that Grapes of Wrath was written from a third-person omniscient p.o.v. because Steinbeck speaks to to the readers about other matters beyond the central character's knowledge. For example, "And now the owner men grew angry. You'll have to go" (p.34, para.1) "The iron guard bit into the house corner, crumbled the wall, and wrenched the little house from its foundation so that it fell sideways, crushed like a bug" (p.39, para.1). These quotes demonstrate the matters that have been discussed: the landowners kicking out the tenants, and the tractors destroying the tenants' homes. Both of these events have been described to the readers; meanwhile, the main character- Tom Joad- still has no idea that such events have taken place. This p.o.v. might be the most effective for Steinbeck's purpose of demonstrating to the readers that everything is interconnected, allowing the readers to see how this storm has impacted so much. In essence, the storm has affected the tenants, banks, landowners, those who work the tractors, Tom Joad, etc. All the while, giving the readers the opportunity to gain insight on how the aftermath of the storm is seen or thought of by a variety of people, who have all been differently impacted by the very same event.
I hope this helps in anyway, this is just my opinion so please feel free to either add on and/or share your own opinion. I'd love to here what you all have to say. :)
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Hello, Melany! I agree on your response; however, I will like to add more. :)
ReplyDeleteThe Grapes of Wrath is written from a third-person point of view, affecting the story positively. For example, using this format develops relationships with the characters and their feelings. We can use the tenants as an example.. when their land was destroyed the audience were introduced to their feelings as well as their characterization. The text states, "And when that crop grew, and was harvested, no man had crumbled a hot clod in his fingers and let the earth sift past their fingertips. No man had touched the seed, or lusted for the growth..." (Steinbeck, 1996, p.36). This quote evidently demonstrates how the tenants feel about their home: depressed. The author uses imagery in this quote to illustrate incomprehension: The person ruining the land did not feel the precious and freshly ripe crop with his fingertips as well as waited for growth anxiously; thus, this method is the most effective because it enhances the plot as well demonstrates the reader the different layers, thoughts, and intentions of characters.
Hopefully this helps! I will also like to hear other responses as well! :)
I agree with both of your responses, but I want add a few more.
ReplyDeleteIn Ch. 5, author bring up the "monster" between the tenant and the owner's conversation. I think this is also why Steinbeck used third-person. " It's not us. It's the monster. The bank isn't like a men. Yes, but the bank is only made of men... It happens that every man in the bank hates what the bank does, and yet the bank does it...It's the monster. Men made it, but they can't control it"(Steinbeck, 1992, p.33).I think the "monster" represents money, Steinbeck used third-person perspective to show how human get control by money, and how it made us not human anymore. Money made one become ruthless, and even made some tenants to against their own people. " Three dollars a day... I got a wife and kids. We got to eat...but for your three dollars a day fifteen or twenty families can't eat at all. Nearly a hundred people have to go out and wander on the roads for your three dollars a day"(Steinbeck, 1992, p.37).
Great responses guys!
ReplyDeleteI noticed that Steinbeck is writing from a 3rd person omniscient point of view because he is jumping from one character's mind to another. This technique is vital because it reveals how each character contributes to the plot of the book, because we are able to know their true minds and actions as Steinbeck tells how each character is behaving.