This book had to be the most depressing, ironic book I've ever read. I felt like the depressing element of the book never stopped. It went all the way to the end. OK, so maybe everyone learned something in the book but the constant tragedies to get to the 'lessons learned' never ended. Motif is a great literary element in the book because of the ongoing struggles of the characters.
Tom Joad is the 'protagonist' of the book: the hero. When Tom kills the police officer as a retaliation for his friend being killed it shows that he is a very passionate person, even if his passion is convayed the wrong way in that part.
Tom Joad's sister, Rose of Sharon is a very self-centered person in the book, but by the end, when her husband, Connie, abandons her and her first child is born still-born, she realizes it's not all about her. I think that her journey in the book was the best because it shows how much someone can change and it's very relatable. Alot of us seem to not be grateful for what we have and just think about the negative, like Rose of Sharon.
Was anyone else confused about her name, like I was?
This book was so hard for me to read, compared to Huck Finn. It went very, very slow and was frankly, very depressing. I hope I wasn't the only one who had trouble reading this book.
The novel does show how we should not look at the negative all the time, and we can learn things from bad situations.
Not my favorite read, by far, but still a good lesson.
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I get what you're saying, it was somewhat depressing but personally I found it way more stimulating then Huck Finn. Rose of Sharon, her name did confuse me too. She was a good character, it's true we can't just think of the negative things in life, got to look at the good. Although I don't think it was about lessons learned, I mean there were but it was kind of more along the lines of experiencing life and all of it's hard ships.
ReplyDeleteWas Tom really the protagonist? Was there really even a protagonist? With the depressing nature of the story it was made extremely difficult for me to discover a protagonist. I guess in some ways he could have some of the characteristics of the “hero” but he did have some unjust actions along with a majority of the characters in the novel.
ReplyDeleteI do not agree that the ENTIRE story was depressing, although a majoirty of it was. There was some good moments, like when Al finds love, or when Rose of Sharon helps the man at the end. But, you are right, if i have to sit here and count the happy moments, the whole book isnt very happy then.
ReplyDeleteI think Rose of Sharon was still self-absorbed. When Connie abandoned her all she did was moan and complain that things would be better if Connie was there. It was aggravating. Except for helping that man at the end, she didn't do anything really helpful or selfless. She named after a type of flower, but still that's an awful name. I don't get why she just didn't go by Rose or something.
ReplyDeleteI would like to know more about the element of motif and how you relate it to The Grapes of Wrath. Some examples from the text might be helpful and useful.
ReplyDeleteI find it interesting that you thing Tom is the hero. What is your definition of a hero? Does Tom fit that definition? Can a man who was convicted of the felonies he was, be a hero? I am not disagreeing or agreeing with you, I just want to know more about your idea of a hero. This might be a very good paper topic come the beginning of the school year. Hmmm...
Good job!