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,

3 comments:

  1. I completely agree with what you said, but I just want to share something unnoticed by readers that doesn't pertain to the question. The turtle from what I read in the chapter can be seen to be a representation of of the farmers and families in the first chapter. Throughout the hardships that came to the turtle, it still managed to strive and persevere just like the farmers did when the drought was occurring. The optimistic mentality of the turtle is similar to the women in chapter one because they never gave up hope and kept faith that everything was going to be okay.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I completely agree with you Sara and Nour! I think that the turtle wpuld be symbolic of "us" or people and the embankment and highway is an obstacle needed to be overcome. The turlte or people may come across many obstacles and may sometimes fall, but we pick ourselves up, carry our load ( the turtle shell :) ) and we keep on going on.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Nicely stated guys, I agree with your points.

    ReplyDelete