The Strengths In John Steinbeck's The Grapes Of Wrath

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The Grapes of Wrath Strengths John Steinbeck wrote the phenomenal novel The Grapes of Wrath in only one hundred days. The novel is about the Joad family traveling west to California because their farm in Oklahoma was foreclosed during the Great Depression. The Joad’s experience a great amount of despair and loss throughout the story. Steinbeck uses multiple effective and twisted symbols that put a spin on the plot. Steinbeck also foreshadows events that are concealed at the time but later seem obvious to the reader. Symbolism is a key thread that is woven throughout the novel. First, Jim Casy is a bold recurring symbol in the novel. Steinbeck portrays Casy as a preacher who has lost his faith, fights to raise the migrants’ wages and is killed while arranging a strike. Jim Casy symbolizes Jesus Christ, because he sacrifices himself for the good of others. Second, Rose of Sharon’s baby which began…show more content…
Three examples include the turtle, the dog’s death, and Grandpa’s demise. In chapter 3, the turtle is marching across the road and a car purposely attempts to hit it and cause it to flip upside down. The turtle struggles to right itself and through great perseverance achieves its goal. This correlates to the Joads’ struggle throughout their journey to California. While the Joads begin their journey to California, the family dog gets killed by a car. This foreshadows upcoming loss and death. Shortly after, Grandpa has a stroke and the Wilsons, travellers the Joads meet along the way, allow Grandpa to rest in their tent as he dies. Since Grandpa was the eldest man of the Joad family, he had the leader role. His passing implies that the Joads’ path will wander through many obstacles with out his leadership. The Wilson’s roles during his death also shows how migrants along the way will show kindness and work

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