Independent Reading

What influenced you guys to select the book you chose? I myself was influenced by Mrs.Ross as she gave the overall concept of the book and it sounded very captivating.

Structure of Journal

As most of us have already chosen an independent book, I was just wondering how you guys planned to structure your journals such as Summary, Themes, and Side Notes or perhaps something else? Want to hear other ideas as it might influence other people to write about more topics to get a better understanding.

Grapes of Wrath Character Analysis: Noah

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!

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.

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.

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.

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?