...the character of Ma Joad to emphasize the theme of matriarchal to patriarchal society in the Grapes of Wrath. Ma is not only seen as the main leader of the family, but, the feeder as well. She is always taking care of everyone, because she doesn’t forget anyone. Steinbeck states, “Al took a paper bag from the seat. This here’s some bread an’ meat Ma sent, an’ I got a jug a water here. She don’t forget nobody, said Casy” (174). As the book progresses, Granma and Grandpa Joad die on the journey to California. Ma eventually has to take over the main role to keep everyone going and moving forward. Ma expresses her matriarchal role when talking to Granma: And Ma said over and over, “All right. It’s gonna be all right.” And she said hoarsely, “You know the family got to get acrost. You know that” (Steinbeck...
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...bog56269.app.qxd 7/23/03 1:01 PM Page A-1 APPENDIX Writing a Film Analysis Films are made to be seen and heard, to appeal to our visual and aural senses. Like any art form, however, films are also meant to be felt and understood, to appeal to our emotions and minds. One of the best ways to determine whether a film has succeeded in any or all of these goals is to analyze the elements that make up the whole work. To write an analysis of a film, you must study the film carefully. Your critical analysis should be derived from your personal encounter with the film, not from published criticism. Access to a videocassette recorder or DVD player is essential if you are going to perform a critical analysis of any depth. It is not enough to like or dislike the movie; you must determine why it succeeds or fails in reaching out and encompassing the viewer. The first step is to view the film in its entirety. From this viewing you can get an initial reaction to the many parts of the film that you will have to explore in more depth. When you first view the film, it is best not to try to take notes or separate the parts of the film; you should be familiar with the textbook in order to know what to look for. After you have formulated a thesis and have begun the process of supporting that thesis, you should view the film at least once more in its entirety and two or three times in segments in order to review scenes of major importance. The thesis statement is the element around which to...
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...nonviolent or violent uprising against "the great owners" and defend your decision with concrete details from "The Grapes of Wrath." I think that Steinbeck is trying to get them to unify peacefully to attain a common goal. Going back to when Jim Casy said "maybe all men got one big soul ever'body's a part of," I think that Steinbeck is trying to get readers to recognize that they are not alone (pg. 24). All tenant farmers are losing their land. The uprising may consist of actions that make people seem bitter, but they are upset because they are starving. I think the suggestion is to come together nonviolently, and to realize that they need to show "the great owners" the results of their causes (pg.151). 9.(Understanding) Identify Ma and Pa Joad and describe each of their roles. Ma Joad is the mother of Tom, Rose of Sharon, Al, Ruthie, Winfield, and Noah Joad. Her role shifts and she becomes the center of the family as Pa Joad loses efficacy as the head of the family. Ma becomes the matriarch of the family. Pa Joad is...
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...From the moment the assignment was handed out, I knew what I wanted my topic to be. After having multiple discussions centered around gender roles and taking adequate notes on gender role, I felt that it only made sense to write my essay on the topic I had already done so much research on. However, my stance on gender roles had shifted. At first, I believed that there was no “superior gender” in the book and that both sexes demonstrated adaptability. But, after I briefly mentioned this position to my well-read teacher and was told that this stance would be difficult to support within the word limit, I decided to change my approach; the women of the Joad family demonstrated they were the strongest sex by providing stability to their family. At first, I knew that Ma was going to be a focal point of my essay because I learned a lot through the discussions, however to meet the requirement of a pattern I needed a second example. I learned through briefly skimming over the book that Rose of Sharon was just what I was looking for. Austin Rodriguez, my friend and colleague, reviewed my essay. His revisions were mostly grammar related...
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...Nikki Slomers Mrs. Moser AP English 11 28 March 2014 Steinbeck’s Philosophical Theory and Influences The Grapes of Wrath, a story of the Joads’ journey from Oklahoma to California in search of the American dream during the Great Depression era. Thousands upon thousands of people had to pack up and leave the land that they were born and raised on due to the Dust Bowl and the banks foreclosing on acres and acres of property. Having lived through this time period, John Steinbeck, the author of the novel The Grapes of Wrath is no stranger to the conditions these people lived in. Traveling with migrant farm workers for a few years in Salinas California, John adopted a very specific philosophical theory from the many influences around him. John Steinbeck’s philosophical theory, including transcendentalism and the concept of the oversoul, humanism, earthy democracy, and pragmatism, all play an important role in the development of his characters in The Grapes of Wrath. To begin, one of the most important characters in the novel, Jim Casy, “the preacher”, single-handedly interprets and embodies the philosophy of the author John Steinbeck and the novel itself. Tom Joad and Jim Casy cross paths while Tom was on his way home to find his family after just being released from prison. The two men, having been long time friends, decide to walk together and catch up. Jim vents to Tom, and tells him about not preaching anymore. “I was a preacher,” the man [Jim Casy] said seriously, “but...
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...Oyibo 1 Onye Oyibo Mr. Cannon English III AP March 5th, 2014 The Grapes of Wrath Research Paper Throughout the Grapes Of Wrath, author John Steinbeck incorporates an adequate amount of Realism as well as Romanticism within his novel. Although these philosophies are brought upon the audience, Steinbeck prominently bases of The Grapes of Wrath upon a substantial use of Artistic Romanticism, through the similarity between the themes as well literally devices. Steinbeck stress the use of literally devices throughout the novel which establishes The Grapes of Wrath philosophy of Artistic Romanticism and Realism. Artistic Romanticism is based upon the romantic viewpoint of a particular outlook on the relations among God, Nature, and the individual manifested meaning. Throughout the novel of “Romanticism and Transcendentalism” the author is capable of unveiling the abstract meaning behind the philosophies of Romanticism. Romanticism was an not just an artistic movement but also, literary and intellectual movement that originated in the second half of the 18th century in Europe, and gained strength in reaction to the Industrial Revolution (Holman, Hugh M. "Definitions of Romanticism."). In literature, Romanticism has been found through recurrent themes of advocating criticism of the past. As well as in the novel (Phillips, Jerry, Andrew Ladd, and Michael Anesko. Romanticism and Transcendentalism) the author touches base on multiple in-depth examples and meaning of...
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...H. Tharp The Unspoken Truth about John Steinbeck’s Legacy in Monterey County John Ernst Jr. Steinbeck is one of the most respected and honored American writers among our society today. In many classrooms around the world, his books are still mandated as reading requirements and there are many museums and centers dedicated to this esteemed author. John Steinbeck has won numerous awards for his books, most notably the Pulitzer Prize for his fictional novel, The Grapes of Wrath in 1940, and the Nobel Prize in literature in 1962 based on his entire body of work. Steinbeck’s other awards, which are typically less known are included in the following chart: WORK | YEAR | AWARD | MEDIUM | “The Murder” | 1934 | O. Henry Award | Print | Tortilla Flat | 1935 | Commonwealth Club of California Gold Medal for Best Novel by a Californian | Print | In Dubious Battle | 1936 | Ibid | Print | Of Mice and Men | 1938 | N.Y Drama Critic’s Circle Award | Play | “The Promise” | 1938 | O. Henry Award | Print | Of Mice and Men | 1939 | American Bookseller’s Award | Print | LifeBoat | 1944 | Academy Award nominee for Best Story | Print | A Medal for Benny | 1945 | Ibid | Print | The Moon is Down | 1946 | King Haakon Liberty Cross | Print | Viva Zapata! | 1952 | Academy Award nominee for Best Original Screenplay | Play | N/A | 1963 | Honorary Consultant in American Literature to the Library of Congress | N/A | N/A | 1964 | U.S Medal of Freedom; Press Medal of Freedom | N/A...
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...Throughout John Steinbeck’s novel, The Grapes of Wrath, The Joads family shows traditional gender roles deteriorating as they travel to California during the Dust Bowl. Steinbeck explores the emblematic thoughts of gender at the time, by restating and challenging them. During the Great Depression, it was prevalent that the male figure was the head of the family, in charge of working, making major decisions, and overall supporting the family. However, women were perceived to be domesticated in their house, doing household chores, like cooking and cleaning, and bearing and taking care of the children. Nevertheless, in The Grapes of Wrath, the author John Steinbeck defies these roles that were stereotyped, by illustrating the development of the...
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...misery. In Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck, the Joad family is taken through a flurry of complications as they make their way westward escaping the destruction and eradication of the land they once owned. Throughout their journey to California, the Joad family grasps the importance of community, and the impact it has on their travels. The communities they encounter help them throughout their travels by administering encouragement and support. The Joad family experience the sense of community, when they settle in decrepit Hooverville and the egalitarian government camp. The Wilsons and other families the Joads meet along the route, are additional support. The communities and...
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...John Steinbeck Research Paper: Final Draft John Steinbeck is regarded as the “quintessential American writer.” He created many works of literature that “evoke life in the 20th century with compassion and lyrical precision” (Li). John Steinbeck’s most popular works such as Of Mice and Men (1937) and The Grapes of Wrath (1939) explore the darker side of life in America for farm laborers. Though these works were considered highly controversial, they gained him major recognition. Of Mice and Men was adapted as a play in 1938 and was declared the best play by New York Drama Critics’ Circle. He went on to receive the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1940 for The Grapes of Wrath. In 1962, he was awarded the Nobel Prize for literature (Schultz & Li). As a child and youth, Steinbeck spent a lot of time working on farms and interacting with other migrant workers. His experiences with migrant farm workers created the foundation for Of Mice and Men and The Grapes of Wrath. John Ernst Steinbeck was born on February 27th 1902 in Salinas California to John Ernst Steinbeck Sr. and Olivia Hamilton Steinbeck. Steinbeck Sr. managed a flour mill, and his mother Olivia was a teacher in a school, thus securing the family a middle class income (Bender). His mother Olivia looked to “mold him into a man of broad intellectual capacity” (Kiernan). She read him several books as a child and, by the age of five, he could read. In school he was teased for “his large ears…so he withdrew into books.” His...
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...and the people who lived during that time; he gave authors of that time something to write about. Many literature pieces were based on the Great Depression; however, FDR was trying to change the direction of the country so everything he did was also put into perspective when authors were creating literature pieces. In The Grapes of Wrath, John Steinbeck writes about a family, the Joad family, who experiences all the struggles of the Great Depression. They make their journey to California to fulfill their hope of getting a fruit-picking job there. Steinbeck writes this book as if it were a true story, which in many ways it was considering how many families experienced this hardship during the Great Depression. Ma Joad is the mother of the family who goes on this journey to reach California. Ma is the only thing that holds their family together because she gives them name 2 hope and the support they need to keep moving. In a way, she and FDR are alike by the role they play. Ma is the glue that is keeping her family from breaking, and FDR was the glue that held together the US during the Great Depression. When the family’s hope was dying, Ma brought them together: Rich fellas come up an' they die, an' their kids ain't...
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...Ma, Head of the Family Migrating across the country and building a new life from scratch is a terrifying experience that many families had to face throughout The Grapes of Wrath. Going through such a change in someone’s life can change them as a person. In the Joad family, Ma showed significant growth throughout the novel. She went from a behind the scenes follower to stepping into the role of head of the family. All the while she made sure that everyone was taken care of and stayed together, as that is what family is about, even if family is greater than just blood. Ma Joad is a symbol of unity and strength in a time when little hope was left. The role of a woman, as depicted in the novel, was not one of power. Ma cooked meals and cared...
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...didn’t believe in what teaching. Tom Joad – Tom was the main character in the book and was involved in conflict throughout the book, also was the favorite child out of his brothers and sisters. • Role model – became the family prize as he walked around not caring for what he did in the past. He’s a guide to what the family should become. His family members look up to him to keep the family name alive. • Concentrated – Tom believes that what he can achieve, his family can achieve. He is hardworking to get the respect he needs from...
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... Carpenter in his essay, "The Philosophical Joads," Steinbeck's social thought seems to be shaped by three distinct strands of nineteenth century American philosophy: the Emersonian concept of the Oversoul, the idea of a humanism expressed by the love of all persons and the embracing of mass democracy found in the works of Walt Whitman and Carl Sandburg, and the pragmatism of Henry James. The Transcendental concept of the Oversoul is expressed in the earthy folk language of Jim Casy as the belief that all human's souls are really just part of one big soul. Ralph Waldo Emerson, the most well known proponent of transcendentalism, defined the Oversoul as the universal mind or spirit that animates, motivates, and is the...
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...CALIFORNIA CALIFORNIA An Interpretive History TENTH EDITION James J. Rawls Instructor of History Diablo Valley College Walton Bean Late Professor of History University of California, Berkeley TM TM CALIFORNIA: AN INTERPRETIVE HISTORY, TENTH EDITION Published by McGraw-Hill, a business unit of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., 1221 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020. Copyright © 2012 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Previous editions © 2008, 2003, and 1998. No part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior written consent of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., including, but not limited to, in any network or other electronic storage or transmission, or broadcast for distance learning. Some ancillaries, including electronic and print components, may not be available to customers outside the United States. This book is printed on acid-free paper. 1234567890 QFR/QFR 10987654321 ISBN: 978-0-07-340696-1 MHID: 0-07-340696-1 Vice President & Editor-in-Chief: Michael Ryan Vice President EDP/Central Publishing Services: Kimberly Meriwether David Publisher: Christopher Freitag Sponsoring Editor: Matthew Busbridge Executive Marketing Manager: Pamela S. Cooper Editorial Coordinator: Nikki Weissman Project Manager: Erin Melloy Design Coordinator: Margarite Reynolds Cover Designer: Carole Lawson Cover Image: Albert Bierstadt, American (born...
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