The last clear definite function of man—muscles aching to work, minds aching to create beyond the single need—this is man. To build a wall, to build a house, a dam, and in the wall and house and dam to put something of Manself, and to Manself take back something of the wall, the house, the dam; to take hard muscles from the lifting, to take the clear lines and form from conceiving. For man, unlike any other thing organic or inorganic in the universe, grows beyond his work, walks up the stairs of his concepts, emerges ahead of his accomplishments. This you may say of man—when theories change and crash, when schools, philosophies, when narrow dark alleys of thought, national, religious, economic, grow and disintegrate, man reaches, stumbles forward, …show more content…
While the plight of the Joad family serves as a representation of the resilience of humanity, Steinbeck specifically interjects most of the philosophical musings found in the novel through various inner chapters, where an unknown narrator poses thought provoking, yet more general musings about the current issues facing American farmers like the Joad family. Specifically, in Chapter 14, Steinbeck utilizes repetitive diction, movement imagery, an extended war metaphor to depict the unknown-narrators inner musings about the rising movement for migrant workers rights in order to convey the larger theme of the perseverance of man throughout the …show more content…
Specifically, the narrator delves into a tangent where he discusses the importance of human creation: “To build a wall, to build a house, a dam, and in the wall and house and dam to put something of Manself, and to Manself take back something of the wall…”(pagenuber). The usage of the infinitive verbs to build and to put in these actions creates an interesting comparison between manself and these strong structures. Obviously, manself is what literally builds these structures, but when placing the act of putting something of myself in the same context, Steinbeck renders that statement that man shares the same strength as the structures they build as a universal truth. Furthermore, when placed in the context of the novel, the migrant-worker rights movement is the structure that Steinbeck is wholeheartedly supporting. Mankind is persevering through this awful situation, and the more they fortify this movement, the more of themselves they are putting in. This is the movement that Tom Joad dedicates his life to, and the movement that Jim Casy gives his life for; they are building this movement, and getting a sense of fulfilment in return . This wholly establishes Steinbeck's overall theme of perseverance, as with something to do, and something to fight for, mankind keeps enduring
When times get tough, many people turn away from everyone and everything. It must be part of human nature to adopt an independent attitude when faced with troubles. It is understandable because most people do not want to trouble their loved ones when they are going through problems, so it is easier to turn away than stick together. Maybe their family is going through a rough patch and they reason they would be better off on their own. This path of independence and solitude may not always be the best option for them or their family, though. Often times it is more beneficial for everyone to work through the problem together. It is not always the easiest or most desirable option, but most times it is the most efficient and it will get results in the long run. In The Grapes of Wrath, John Steinbeck makes this point very clear through several characters. Many characters throughout
Steinbeck meets his standard by celebrating the migrant workers’ drive and sense of community in the face of the Great Depression. The Joad family and many others, are dedicated to conquering all odds: “[t]hus they changed their social life–changed as in the whole universe only man can change” (Steinbeck 196). There are no other options available for these tenant families than to take the trek to California in hopes of finding work. The fears they once had about droughts and floods now lingered with
People just don’t seem to give up, they continue fighting till the very end rather than lay down and succumb to the challenge faced. In “The Grapes of Wrath”, John Steinbeck uses symbolism and religious allusions as unifying devices to illustrate the indomitable nature of the human spirit.
Throughout the novel, The Grapes of Wrath there are intercalary chapters. The purpose of these chapters are to give the readers insight and background on the setting, time, place and even history of the novel. They help blend the themes, symbols, motifs of the novel, such as the saving power of family and fellowship, man’s inhumanity to man, and even the multiplying effects of selfishness. These chapters show the social and economic crisis flooding the nation at the time, and the plight of the American farmer becoming difficult. The contrast between these chapters helps readers look at not just the storyline of the Joad family, but farmers during the time and also the condition of America during the Dust Bowl. Steinbeck uses these chapters to show that the story is not only limited to the Joad family,
Steinbeck's intercalary chapters in The Grapes of Wrath have nothing to do with the Joads or other characters of the novel, but help describe the story in different terms. They are similar to poems, offering different viewpoints of the migration, and clarifying parts of the story that the reader might not understand. An excellent example of this use can be seen in chapter 21, where an examination of the attitudes of migrant Okies and the residents of California reveals the changing nature of land ownership among the changing population of California and gives greater meaning to the fierce hostility that the Joads meet in California.
Throughout the book Steinbeck uses personification through Charley to create the idea that Charley is more than just a dog but he is a friend to Steinbeck, someone to rely on throughout his journey. Charley is alluded to a French gentleman poodle. He is portrayed as extremely wise and his uses for making connections with the people they encounter on their journey across the US. My understanding from reading the book and seeing how the book is portrayed gives me the idea that Charley has dignity and pride. The book states “Charley was torn three ways—with anger at me for leaving him, with gladness at the sight of Rocinante, and with pure pride in his appearance. For when Charley is groomed and clipped and washed he is as pleased with himself
Steinbeck strikes at the fear in every man’s soul, with his portrayal of the poverty stricken life of the Joads as they travel from one stage of abandonment and what would seem like a helpless state to a journey of enduring perseverance. The Joads, Steinbeck’s creation in the Novel Grapes of Wrath is a large close-knit family living in Oklahoma during the “Dust Bowl” era. Steinbeck documents their journey beginning with their homelessness due to the crop failures to them surviving in a box car at the end of their journey. I think Steinbeck’ intention is to illustrate to the reader that being poor doesn’t always equate with being helpless. The Joads demonstrate this by their resilience to overcome homelessness, death, and prejudice.
Steinbeck uses these symbols and themes to create a masterpiece depicting a struggle of a family in the beginning of the Great Depression. Using Biblical allusions as one of his literary devices, John Steinbeck tells the story of a migrant worker family, the Joads.
The tale of The Grapes of Wrath has many levels of profound themes and meanings to allow us as the reader to discover the true nature of human existence. The author's main theme and doctrine of this story is that of survival through unity. While seeming hopeful at times, this book is more severe, blunt, and cold in its portrayl of the human spirit. Steinbeck's unique style of writing forms timeless and classic themes that can be experienced on different fronts by unique peoples and cultures of all generations.
This quote illustrates for the readers the true animosity of the people during the time, and that’s why Steinbeck is sympathy for the migrants
Tom Joad is an ex-convict that was only into his own self-interest and lived by a mantra of live your life day by day and not concerned with the future, to becoming a man who thinks about the future and someone with morals and an obligation to help others. Ma Joad is a typical woman of the early 1900’s whose main role was a mother only with a role of caring and nurturing. Later in the novel, she becomes an important figure for the family and is responsible for making decisions in keeping the family together and emphasizes the importance of unity. Another important transition in the book is the family starting off as a single close knit unit to depending on other families to survive. This common interest and struggle bonded the community of individual families to a single one. Steinbeck wrote this novel very well, by having great character dynamics and development that displays the characters strengths and also their
One of the struggles many families faced, along with the Joad's was death. "Pa asked softly," What was it". "Stroke", said Casy." A good quick stroke"(Steinbeck,188). After many roadblocks, the Joad's joined forces with another family and finally reached California.When they arrived there wasn’t as many jobs as they had hoped. People who had arrived before them had "taken" most of the jobs for picking cotton."California. This here's California an' we're right in it"(Steinbeck,276).Some were fortunate to have a job but many were left unemployed.Also, many people had to live in government provided camps in raggedy-makeshift tents because they couldn’t afford to live on there own.It was hard enough to buy food to eat off a cotton pickers salary(if you had a job).Its almost as if the industrialization of agriculture didn’t happen, most migrant families would be financially stable.The industrialization made many lose there jobs, houses and
In The Grapes of Wrath, Steinbeck illustrates the Joad’s endurance by his use of extended metaphors in intercalary chapters. Steinbeck uses intercalary chapters to provide background for the various themes in the novel. He effectively foreshadows upcoming events by telling of the general state of the local population in the intercalary chapters. He then narrows it down to how it effects the main characters of the novel, which are the Joads. Setting the tone of the novel in the reader’s mind is another function of Steinbeck's intercalary chapters.
What can be considered a classic? A classic is most likely a bestseller, such as The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck. The work depicts the Joad family looking for a better life in California; who encounters numerous families that have the same dream, confronts unforeseen setbacks, and in the end, realizes that their promised future is not what they had hoped for. John Steinbeck’s novel The Grapes of Wrath can be considered a classic because it applies rhetorical devices skillfully, causes controversy, and includes present day topics: unemployment and the American Dream, which goes awry in many cases.
The Grapes of Wrath is a novel by John Steinbeck that exposes the desperate conditions under which the migratory farm families of America during the 1930's live under. The novel tells of one families migration west to California through the great economic depression of the 1930's. The Joad family had to abandon their home and their livelihoods. They had to uproot and set adrift because tractors were rapidly industrializing their farms. The bank took possession of their land because the owners could not pay off their loan. The novel shows how the Joad family deals with moving to California. How they survive the cruelty of the land owners that take advantage of them, their poverty and willingness to work.