Grapes of Wrath Final

1. Half of the chapters in The Grapes of Wrath focus on the dramatic westward journey of the Joad family, while the others possess a broader scope, providing a more general picture of the migration of thousands of Dust Bowl farmers. Discuss this structure, the theme(s) and the literary devices. Why might Steinbeck have chosen this structure (authors intent)? How do the two kinds of chapters reinforce each other? 2. Discuss the development of Tom Joad as a character. How does he grow throughout the book? What effects do Jim Casys imprisonment and death have on his development? What theme(s) depicts this? What is the authors intent in using these characters and this theme(s). 3. Discuss the ending of the novel. Discuss how it fits the rest of the book in the terms of theme(s). In other words how does Rose of Sharon assume the role of the transcendent giver of life? What is Steinbecks intent? How does the ending effectively embody thematic trends within the novels development? Discuss how it provides hope for the future of the migrant workers. 4. Worth 85% Discuss Steinbecks use of literary devices throughout the novel, specifically, personification, imagery, symbolism or motifs. How does Steinbeck effectively use these devices to emphasize theme? Here is a thesis you can use or tweak: Overall, Steinbeck utilizes both personification and imagery to emphasize the theme of the dichotomy between words and deeds in order to convey the betrayal the victims of the dust bowl endured from the time they were forced from their homes to the time they arrived in California.