The Grapes of WrathThe Grapes of Wrath

Things to consider and Things to consider and take note of as you take note of as you

readread

Biblical ImageryBiblical Imagery

Title of book- Steinbeck took Title of book- Steinbeck took this from “The Battle Hymn of this from “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” from the Book of the Republic” from the Book of Revelations (14:19)Revelations (14:19)

3 sections – drought, journey, 3 sections – drought, journey, California; corresponds to the California; corresponds to the Israelites oppression in Egypt, Israelites oppression in Egypt, the Exodus, the stay in Canaan.the Exodus, the stay in Canaan.

Biblical ImageryBiblical Imagery

Rose of Sharon’s name (Solomon 2:1)Rose of Sharon’s name (Solomon 2:1) God gave the Israelites commandments God gave the Israelites commandments during their desert exodus – this during their desert exodus – this connects to the events in the connects to the events in the government camp (following rules)government camp (following rules)

Steinbeck’s major theme is Steinbeck’s major theme is humankind’s search for the Promised humankind’s search for the Promised Land, a Garden of Eden, “flowing Land, a Garden of Eden, “flowing with milk and honey.”with milk and honey.”

Mythic Journey WestwardMythic Journey Westward

Tom Joad (the hero) achieves a Tom Joad (the hero) achieves a mystical quality by the end of mystical quality by the end of the novelthe novel

Tom and Casy overcome great Tom and Casy overcome great obstacles, encounter prophecies obstacles, encounter prophecies of impending doom, and fight of impending doom, and fight injustice to make society better.injustice to make society better.

The characters sometimes seem to The characters sometimes seem to have “superhuman” have “superhuman” characteristics.characteristics.

Transcendentalism and Transcendentalism and PragmatismPragmatism

Transcendentalism – Steinbeck took the Transcendentalism – Steinbeck took the idea of the “Oversoul” from Emerson idea of the “Oversoul” from Emerson and the concept of democracy from and the concept of democracy from Whitman.Whitman.

This novel is a blend of the This novel is a blend of the philosophy of Emerson and the philosophy of Emerson and the pragmatism of John Dewey and William pragmatism of John Dewey and William James (grandpa’s full name is William James (grandpa’s full name is William James Joad)James Joad)

Pragmatism - a philosophical movement Pragmatism - a philosophical movement that includes those who claim that an that includes those who claim that an ideology is true if it works ideology is true if it works satisfactorily (John Dewey & William satisfactorily (John Dewey & William James were proponents of this idea).James were proponents of this idea).

Realism and NaturalismRealism and Naturalism Naturalist View (of humans) – is that of Naturalist View (of humans) – is that of animals in the natural world, responding animals in the natural world, responding to the environmental forces and internal to the environmental forces and internal stresses and drives, over none of which stresses and drives, over none of which they have control and none of which they they have control and none of which they fully understand.fully understand.

The characters in this story are faced The characters in this story are faced with circumstances over which they have no with circumstances over which they have no control, but they make humane choice when control, but they make humane choice when they overcome obstacles and move forwardthey overcome obstacles and move forward

MarxismMarxism

2 reasons why critics rejected 2 reasons why critics rejected the novel:the novel:– For its offensive language For its offensive language (libraries banned it)(libraries banned it)

– On political grounds (Communist On political grounds (Communist propaganda)propaganda)

*Steinbeck never saw Communism as *Steinbeck never saw Communism as the answer to the Joads’ the answer to the Joads’ predicament (their only hope was predicament (their only hope was to work together with one another)to work together with one another)

Take Notes as You Read:Take Notes as You Read:

Take notes on the 5 concepts Take notes on the 5 concepts discussed today (as you read).discussed today (as you read).

Pay attention to the Pay attention to the intercalary chapters (in-intercalary chapters (in-between chapters) for between chapters) for Steinbeck’s view of human Steinbeck’s view of human nature/humanity.nature/humanity.

““The Harvest Gypsies”The Harvest Gypsies” Steinbeck was commissioned by Steinbeck was commissioned by The The San Francisco News San Francisco News to write a to write a series of articles on the migrant series of articles on the migrant workers of the Salinas Valleyworkers of the Salinas Valley

Published from October 5 through Published from October 5 through October 12 1936October 12 1936

The Grapes of Wrath The Grapes of Wrath was published was published in 1939- the influences from this in 1939- the influences from this experience are clearexperience are clear

IN YOUR ASSIGNED GROUP:IN YOUR ASSIGNED GROUP: READ YOUR ASSIGNED ARTICLE (SILENTLY READ YOUR ASSIGNED ARTICLE (SILENTLY OR TOGETHER) – 10-15 MINUTESOR TOGETHER) – 10-15 MINUTES

RECORD – MAIN PARTS/IMPORTANT POINTS RECORD – MAIN PARTS/IMPORTANT POINTS FROM YOUR SECTION (WORK WITH YOUR FROM YOUR SECTION (WORK WITH YOUR GROUP TO COMPILE THESE POINTS)GROUP TO COMPILE THESE POINTS)

PREPARE TO SHARE THE MAIN POINTS OF PREPARE TO SHARE THE MAIN POINTS OF YOUR SECTION WITH THE CLASSYOUR SECTION WITH THE CLASS

EVERYONE EVERYONE WILL NEED TO TAKE NOTES ON WILL NEED TO TAKE NOTES ON ALL SECTIONS ALL SECTIONS

REMINDERS:REMINDERS:

Vocab book tomorrow!Vocab book tomorrow! Presentations tomorrow…Presentations tomorrow… Extra reading time?!Extra reading time?!

Objective:Objective:

Develop background knowledge on Develop background knowledge on the Dust Bowl and migrant the Dust Bowl and migrant workers by participating in a workers by participating in a group jigsaw activity in order group jigsaw activity in order to prepare to read to prepare to read The Grapes The Grapes of Wrathof Wrath

DRILL #5 : 3.26.14DRILL #5 : 3.26.14

Jot down 3 things you Jot down 3 things you learned about Steinbeck learned about Steinbeck yesterday that you found yesterday that you found significant or interesting. significant or interesting.