Literary Lens
“They stole away in the night, frantic for work. And along the roads lay the temptations, the fields that could bear food. That’s owned. That ain’t our’n. Well, maybe we could get a little piece of her. Maybe-a little piece. Right down there-a patch. Jimson weed now. Crist, I could git enough potatoes off’n that little patch to feed my whole family”
Marxism
"And in the south, he saw the golden oranges hanging on the trees, and the little golden oranges on the dark green trees."
Imagery
Ma Joad
Ma develops from a strong mother to a community-centered leader.
Hoovervilles
Community and desperation of migrants. Vulnerability and social degradation that forces them to this state.
"Look," he said,"This ain't no lan' of milk an' honey"
Biblical
"Floyd put down his wrench. Tom stood up. Al wiped his hands on his trousers. The three strolled toward the Chevrolet."
Syntax
Jim Casy
Jim Casey is starting to embrace his role as a spiritual leader and shifting from "I" to "we".
"Okie" Label
The dehumanization of migrant workers among many landowners.
"I hear there's three hundered thousan' of our people there-an' livin' like hogs, 'cause ever'thing in Calafornia is owned."
Marxisim
"S'pose they's a hundred men want that job. S'pose them men got kids, an'them kids are hungry. S'pose a lousy dime'll buy a box of mush for them. S'pose a nickel'll buy at leas' somepin for them kids."
Anaphora
Uncle John
Uncle John is having an internal conflict and attempts to isolate himself and drink, but still sacrifices for the family.
Ma's Pot of Stew
Campassion still present amoung communities even in times of trouble.
"When a majority of the people are hungry and cold they will take by force what they need."
Transcendentalism
"And in Knasas and Arkansas, in Oklahoma and Texas and New Mexico, the tractors moved in and pushed the tenants out."
polysyndeton
Rose of Sharon
Rose of Sharon was very self-focused earlier, but is slowly beginning to become aware.
Floyd Knowles
Symbolizes the emerging conciousness of the worker.
“They imported slaves although they did not call them slaves: Chinese, Japanese, Mexicans, Filipinos. They live on rice and beans, the business men said. They don’t need much. They wouldn’t know what to do with good wages. Why, look how they live. They look at what they eat. And if they get funny-deport them”
Marxism
"Pray God some day kind people won't all be poor. Pray God some day a kid can eat"
anaphora
Tom Joad
Tom becomes more observant of the systems and not just survival. He slowly develops from a cautious individual to a socially aware thinker.
The Silver Coins (for the dead child)
Symbolizes the goodness and shared humanity of the migrant people in contrast to the cruelty of the land owners.