Character Analysis: The Grapes Of Wrath
In chapter thirty of The Grapes of Wrath, John Steinbeck highlights the most destitute moment of the Joad family during their exodus to California and the transformation of many characters. Steinbeck opens the chapter by describing the flood is taking over the boxcar. Pa urges other men to build an embankment because Rose of Sharon begins to experience labor. While the men work on building the embankment, the cotton tree is uprooted, cascades into the embankment and destroys it. Steinbeck continues to show the Joads’ struggle to overcome the hardships as Pa goes back into the box car, and Mrs. Wainwright informs him that Rose Sharon has delivered a stillborn child. The Joads send Uncle John to bury the child. Because the water level keeps increasing,
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Rose of Sharon begins as a self-centered, complaining and pessimistic young woman. She is married to Connie, and they are expecting a child together. During the Joad journey to California, Rose of Sharon suffers many personal tragedies including Granpa’s and Granma’s death, Connie’s abandonment. These tragedies mold her into a more sympathizing and worldly woman. For example, at the end of chapter thirty, the transformation of Rose of Sharon’s character is clearly shown though a scene in which Rose of Sharon decides to save the dying man with her breast milk despite his protest. She is not forced to do this by anyone, but she makes the decision because she deeply wants to offer survival for the starving man. She is not the complaining and pessimistic woman as before, but instead, she becomes a more compassionate and understandable woman. For instance, Steinbeck shows the compassion and sympathy of Rose Sharon in her action in helping the man through the quote: "She looked up and across the barn, and her lips came together and smiled mysteriously" (578). The word “together” demonstrates the unity in the community in which helping others is the top priority. While the verb “smiled” confirms the happiness and voluntariness in Rose of Sharon’s action. This act of Rose of
Rose of Sharon begins as a self-centered, complaining and pessimistic young woman. She is married to Connie, and they are expecting a child together. During the Joad journey to California, Rose of Sharon suffers many personal tragedies including Granpa’s and Granma’s death, Connie’s abandonment. These tragedies mold her into a more sympathizing and worldly woman. For example, at the end of chapter thirty, the transformation of Rose of Sharon’s character is clearly shown though a scene in which Rose of Sharon decides to save the dying man with her breast milk despite his protest. She is not forced to do this by anyone, but she makes the decision because she deeply wants to offer survival for the starving man. She is not the complaining and pessimistic woman as before, but instead, she becomes a more compassionate and understandable woman. For instance, Steinbeck shows the compassion and sympathy of Rose Sharon in her action in helping the man through the quote: "She looked up and across the barn, and her lips came together and smiled mysteriously" (578). The word “together” demonstrates the unity in the community in which helping others is the top priority. While the verb “smiled” confirms the happiness and voluntariness in Rose of Sharon’s action. This act of Rose of