The Grapes of Wrath

The grapes of Wrath

Analysis

1. The majority of the action takes place in a barn, but at the time of which Rose of Sharon needs to "take care of" the sick and starving man, the rest of the family moves to a tool shed.

2. Mrs. Joads reaction is very calmed. She says that he will be alright and tell the boy to take it easy. The boy is not calm. He says that he does not know what to do and he has stolen some bread, but his father just puked it up. The boy begins to cry and almost panics and says that he is dying and starving.

3. Because she has grown accustomed to suffering during their own misfortunate travels in the search of a better life.

4. Stanza 1: He ain't et for six days.

Stanza 5: Says he wasn't hungry or he ju't et.

Stanza 10: You jus' wait'll I get them wet clo'es off'n my girl.

Stanza 16: Las' night I went an' bust a winda an' stoled some bread.

5. a: The ending of the novel is disturbing as it is unnatural, seen from my point of view. Rose of Sharon has just recently lost her child, and should therefore be in a state of sorrow and pain. Instead she agrees to breastfeed a complete stranger, and while she is doing so, she smiles mysteriously, for no obvious reason.

5.b: Yes I think the act holds a significant symbolic value, since Rose of Sharon has just lost her child, but instead of morning she puts what she has to offer to good use. In this case, she is the Good Samaritan, who tends to the needs of the dying man, and treats him as if he was her own newborn child. Therefore the final act of Rose of Sharon holds a biblical reference to the story of the Good Samaritan, and is a depiction of what we can accomplish as human beings if we take care of each other, and look past our own selfish needs.

5.c: The setting definitely holds a relation to the story of the birth of Jesus himself, which also took place in a barn. At first, the story tears down the image of the bible, since the child dies, but by the will of God, she is given a new in the shape of the old man.

5.d: I believe the ending holds a potential promise for good things to come. The Joads have shown, that they refuse to give up, and that they will continue to take care of each other, and help others by all means. Not many questions are answered though, and since the family has sought for success, and a way to reach a higher class in society for so long, nothing is certain. However, the family seems to have an understanding of what needs to happen to change the society, of which they are a part of, and therefore I believe the future will reward them for their persistence.

5.e: I believe the purpose of the open ending,

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