Symbolism in Grapes of Wrath
The Grapes of Wrath combines Steinbeck's idolization of the land, dislike for corporeality and belief that people can survive the malicious influence of their atmosphere. These substantial concepts are woven into the book by the use of inter chapters, the telling of the Joads story and the use of symbols. A symbol is defined as an object, imagine, character or figure used to represent abstract ideas or conceptions. Significant symbols used throughout the novel include those of the turtle, the dust and rain cycle, the death of the Joad's dog, the car dealership, Rose of Sharon's pregnancy, the grapes and a tree. The turtle plowing its way along the dirt road stands for survival, an active strength in life and all of mankind, which cannot be beaten by its environment or other obstacles in its way. It stands for the journey of the migrant workers, who are taken advantage of and exploited by the wealthy corporate owners. The turtle is a helpless creature, much like the current life of the Joads. They are forced to migrate, taking what belongings they can. Both the turtle and the Joads are travelling west, and have various impediments to overcome. The female driver successfully attempts to avoid injuring the turtle, demonstrating the
On the Joads farm is located a willow tree, which is unmovable and never bends to the wind or dust. Much like the family, it does not want to move and displays stubborn tendencies against its environment. This advances the concept of how disinclined the people are to moving. The tree must struggle against nature, while the Joads struggle against the nature of people. Such as the banks and the grand enterprises. The car dealership represents the vindictiveness intrinsic in the capitalist system. People becoming wealthy off of the downfall of others, by cheating them of necessities. The farmers are powerless and their situations are being taken advantage of. This is showing how the capitalist system can be abused, and that communism is the ideal form of government, particularly in this situation. If the people gathered together they would have a better chance at increasing their standard of living as a whole instead of looking out for individuals as they are doing. The junkyard guard illustrates the dehumanizing conditions of technology. When the Joads stop for gas, it is immediately assumed by the attendant that they are poor and must be beggars or vagrants. While they are there, a deluxe roadster runs over their dog and ruefully kills it. This represents how some people in life travel so quickly towards their destination that they disregard the importance of the lives of others. Wanting to achieve success so badly, they do not care about anyone who is injured along th
Some common words found in the essay are:
Rose Sharon's, Grapes Wrath, Hebrews Egypt, Rose Sharon, Uncle John, distinct representation, struggle nature, rose sharon's pregnancy, people life, rose sharon's, car dealership, sharon's pregnancy, life mankind, capitalist system,
Approximate Word count = 998
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)
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