The Grapes Of Wrath-Synthesis Essay

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Discomfort or unease can be compared to the growing pit in one's stomach when watching a suspenseful horror movie. Consequently, many steer clear of scary movies to avoid the uncomfortable feeling of fear. In turn, comfort can be sought out, instead, in stereotypical movies and literature with the “happily ever after” ending. However, these endings do not prepare oneself for the harsh realities of life; the inaccurate representation of the world only leads to disappointment and ignorance. Literature that causes the reader a sense of unease or discomfort is invaluable due to its ability to evoke empathy, challenge societal norms, and inspire change by confronting readers with the harsh realities of human nature and society. A perfect example …show more content…

Compassion. Or does she simply want to rid her shop of his troublesome presence?” (Source L). Asking these uncomfortable questions helps uncover truths about oneself and promotes growth from facing the initial discomfort of self-reflection. Many can benefit from taking Ascher’s passage to heart and reflecting on their own motivations for “compassion”. Through unsettling narratives and uncomfortable themes, literature has the power to evoke empathy and stimulate a change in the reader’s views and mindsets. A prime example of this type of literature is Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath, which depicts in vivid detail the struggles of the migrant workers during the Dust Bowl through a fictional family, the Joads, and numerous intercalary chapters that provide hidden themes. One intercalary chapter, Chapter 21, portrays the desperation and struggle of the migrant workers while eliciting sympathy from the readers to help the workers face the effects of capitalism and industrialization sweeping across California. The great owners created canneries “[a]nd the little farmers who owned no canneries lost their farms, and they were taken by the great owners, the banks, and the companies who also owned the canneries.the roads were crowded with men revenue for work, murderous for work” (Source

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