Grapes Of Wrath Literary Analysis - 1657 Words

The Dust Bowl, a series of severe dust storms in the 1930’s, left the southern plains of the United States as a wasteland. The storms occurred due to the lack of use of dryland farming techniques to prevent wind erosion. Powerful winds would pick up loose soil and carry the sediment around the countryside. Called â€Å"black blizzard† or â€Å"black rollers†, these storms had the potential to black out the sky completely. Due to the inability to grow and sell crops, banks evicted families and foreclosed their properties, leaving them homeless and without an income. The author of The Grapes of Wrath, John Steinbeck, wrote his American realist novel to allow readers to understand the experiences of the migrants from the Dust Bowl era. Not many†¦show more content†¦Her emotions caused by their circumstances help institute the concerned tone of the novel. While Ma’s attitude clearly creates a concerned tone, her looking back appears to not be the only demonstration of the theme. Granpa’s late hesitation to the move supports the concerned theme as well. To describe, Granpa’s refusal to leave assists in establishing the concerned tone in Steinbeck’s novel. Granpa did not wish to leave their home. He claims he belonged at home, and states he will stay alone if need be. Steinbeck details his stubbornness: Granpa’s eyes had dulled, and there was none of the old meanness in them†¦. ‘I jus’ ain’t a goin’ ‘Not goin ?’ Pa demanded. What you mean you ain t a-goin ? Why, here we re all packed up, ready. We got to go. We got no place to stay.’ ; ‘I ain’t sayin for you to stay’ said Grampa. ‘You go right on along. Me--I’m stayin†¦ Take Granma with ya if ya want, but ya ain’t takin’ me, an’ that’s the end of it.’ (Steinbeck 111). Granpa’s speech shows the difficulty for the Joad family. The idea of leaving his home proves to be too much for Granpa, and his claims to be staying at their home are his last effort to prevent the trip from happening. Pa’s repetition of â€Å"we got† in the beginning of his two statements reflect the urgency in his voice as he attempts to dissuade Granpa from his opinions. Ma and Granpa’s actions before leaving their home for the west truly help create the concerned tone in Steinbeck’s novel; theyShow MoreRelatedGrapes Of Wrath Literary Analysis997 Words   |  4 PagesThe Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck uses numerous literary techniques to advocate for change in the social and political attitudes of the Dust Bowl era. Simile, personification, and imagery are among the many devices that add to the novel’s ability to influence the audience’s views. Moreover, through his use of detail, Steinbeck is able to develop a strong bond bet ween the reader and the Joad clan. This bond that is created evokes empathy from the audience towards the Joads as they face numerousRead MoreGrapes Of Wrath Literary Analysis1847 Words   |  8 Pages In the novel, The Grapes of Wrath, the author, John Steinbeck, explores the themes of family, betrayal, and social class struggles. Readers see the historical significance of the Dust Bowl and witness the effects on a fictional family named the Joads. Dust storms of the 1930s force travel upon people of the American prairie as agriculture, ecology, and economy enter a period of pure havoc. The characters evolve extensively throughout the plot due to the historically challenging migrationRead More Damsels in Distress Essay1617 Words   |  7 Pagesfamed literary work, Hamlet. 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Steinbeck also uses literary elements including a dramatic tone, rich symbolism, and personification