Grapes of Wrath- Symbols

I think that in the book Grapes of Wrath, the author uses many symbols. I think that symbols are very important to the theme of a book and the symbols used in this book are very interesting. The author uses Rose of Sharon's pregnancy as a symbol in this book. Rose of Sharon is Tom's sister and she is pregnant for some of the journey to California. Rose of Sharon's pregnancy symbolizes a new beginning, which is what all of the travelers and farmers are looking for in California. The birth of a baby is the start of a new life, and that is exactly what the Joad family, as well as other families, are looking to do in California. I think that this is a very clever symbol used by the author in this book because it can be linked directly to what all of these families are going through and I think that is pretty cool. I know that in some books the symbols can be kind of hard to notice and to understand, but the symbol of Rose of Sharon's pregnancy was fairly easy to pick up on. Sadly, Rose of Sharon's baby was a stillborn, and it was almost like the promise of a new beginning was broken. Even with the grim circumstances, the Joad family keeps their heads high and continues on with a never dying hope. Another symbol the author uses in this book is the Joad's family dog. Early in their journey to California, they stop for gas and their dog is ran over and left dead in the middle of the road. I think this is in a way foreshadowing the bad things that happen to the Joad family later on in the story. I think that symbols can be a very important part of a story, and if they are used right they can make a book seem so much better. The author does a good job including symbols in this book.

Bibliography

Steinbeck, John. The Grapes of Wrath. New York: Penguin, 2002. Print