Stewart 1 Malcolm Stewart Mrs.

Dilday AP English III February 27 2011 Take Home Essay In Howard Levants statement, he states, The first three quarters of the novel are masterful. Characters are presented through action; symbolism intensifies character and action; the central theme of transformation from self to group develops persuasively Though this is merely a single statement from Levants essay, it expresses his views on the book quite clearly. The characters of Grampa, and Tom Joad are presented though action as the story of the turtles plight intensifies the Joad familys story. At the beginning of chapter 2 we are introduced to Tom Joad without knowing his name or anything about him, as he walks up to a large truck. Everything we begin to learn about him is presented through the dialogue. Through the action that occurs later, as he speaks with the truck driver, Tom is hit with the same questions we the readers had been thinking. Looking for a job? Goin far?(JS 8) We find out about his homeward journey, about his working with a pick, and about his recent parole from jail. In the middle of chapter 8, we are introduced to Grampa and Granma as they race towards the house. Grampa, who was ahead of Granma, came running towards the house, jumping with quick steps and favoring his right leg the side that came out of joint. (JS 77)Already we know that he has issues with his right leg, and is competitive. The fact that he was buttoning his fly as he came, (JS 77) tells us his lack of concern for

modesty and other trivial matters. We learn almost everything we know about Grampa during his race with Granma. Throughout the novel, Steinbeck uses symbols to illustrate and intensify not only the plot, but also the characters, the action, and his message. The whole of chapter 3 he focuses on a turtle, telling us of its plight to cross the highway. He faces many challenges as he heads for his destination including climbing the embankment (JS 15), and the cruel driver that swerved to hit (JS 15) him. All of this represents the individual journeys of the migrant families, especially that of the Joads. Faced with many challenges along the way, the families are never stirred from the path. Continually heading toward their destination, and the promise of new life. It simplifies the journey of the families onto a level, which can be easily understood and connected to. Even after Tom picks up the turtle it still tries to head towards its unseen destination. It wont let anything stop it, and neither will the migrant families. In Howard Levants statement, he hints at a major theme that is shown throughout the novel, the transformation from self to group, from I to we.(JS 152) Rose of Sharon emphasizes this message strongly as we move through the novel. In the beginning her world revolved around herself, Connie, and the baby she was carrying. She constantly repeats what she and Connie are going to do once they arrive in California. After Connie leaves, this is heard less often and her whole world is shaken. By the end of the novel, Her world has grown to include everyone else, and she shows selflessness as she keeps a dying man alive by allowing him to drink the milk from her breast. Howard Levants statement was almost as masterful as the novel itself.