"Maybe we can start again, in the rich new land- in California, where the fruit grows. We'll start over.
But you can't start. Only a baby can start. You and me- why, we're all that's been. The anger of a moment, the thousand pictures, that's us. This land, the red land, is us; and the flood years and the dust years and the drought years are us. We can't start again. The bitterness we sold to the junk man- he got it all right, but we have it still. And when the owner men told us to go, that's us; and when the tractor hit the house, that's us till we're dead. To California or any place- every one a drum major leading a parade of hurts, marching with our bitterness. And some day- the armies of bitterness will all be going the same way. And they'll all walk together, and there'll be a dead terror from it."
This passage reflects on the idea of rebirth and the elements that evolve a person from birth. My take on the message it conveys is that a "restart" is essentially impossible, for one would need to be born anew, exist anew, "cleansed" of all that they've ever known that has affected them. There is no other way to truly "restart" because experiences, feelings, sensations, people, things, ideas, and so much more trail behind us throughout the course of our life, eternally and undoubtedly. The present and our future is constructed through all that was and wasn't, and the reality of it is that your life in every time period is always with you- for it is you whether you like it or not. It's a part of who you were, who you are, and who you will be. A "restart" requires that everything is erased, to become nonexistent, so that an individual may be reborn as an entirely new person.
In Tom Joad's case, he accepts what's happened to him and those around him and continues onward to face what's ahead; he knows he can't rid himself of his regrets and/or consequences of the past because he understands that they are a part of him. Your surroundings, loved ones, enemies, treasures, and so on- they are you, and you decide how to make do with who you are and who you will be no matter what environment or situation you may be in.
I'd love to hear anyone's interpretation of what he meant, so feel free to add on! :)
Hi Valeria, I agree to your interpretation of this quote and I just wanted to add on that this quote states that this situation is irreversible and like you said there is no other way to "restart" because the people who are leaving are now imbued with bitterness and loss and they carry that along with them which is tragic for many of them because this is who they have become now and they now have a life of regrets and there is no way of getting rid of them no matter how far away they travel or constantly keep ignoring to free themselves from those regrets.If anyone else has a different interpretation, feel free to comment!
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with the what you said about how only babies can have a fresh start because even if we move our past is dictated by the future.Like how Joad will always be a convict due to the fact he was in jail if he moves he still holds the title. We can move or change our name and appearance, but overall we will still be the person that did those things in the past.I somewhat disagree with the way you say our surroundings, loved ones, enemies, and treasures are you. They help shape you but they don't make you they help. I feel that they help us find who we are they are a part of us, but they don't define you.
ReplyDeleteGreat responses guys! I really like how you guys interpreted this quote. I didn't think of it this way.
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