Literature Analysis #2

1) "The Grapes of Wrath" follows the movement of thousands of men and women during the dust bowl migration of the 1930s. This book is about an Oklahoma farm family, the Joads, who are driven off their homestead and forced to travel west to the promised land of California.
2) The theme of the novel, is that it isn't about the destination, it is about the journey.
3) The author's tone in this book is very serious and sentimental. If you look at John Steinbeck's' history, you will find that he was involved in the dust bowl and had to do most of the things in his novel. "The driver chewed as rhythmically, as thoughtfully, as a cow." Pg. 9 This quote shows just how the author is trying to make sure that every sentence is well thought out and the readers are understanding everything he is trying to get across.
4) "Men stood by their fences and looked at the ruined corn, drying fast now, only a little green showing through the film of dust." Pg. 3 This is imagery, because it paints you a picture through the writing.
"The driver chewed as rhythmically, as thoughtfully, as a cow." Pg. 9 This is a metaphor, because the author is comparing two things with the word as.
"She watched him as though he were suddenly a spirit, not human any more, a voice out of the ground." Pg. 82 This is indirect characterization, because it gives you more information on Ma Joad that gives you a chance to interpret it as you want.
"They sat and looked at it and burned it into their memories." Pg. 89 This is a hyperbole, because it is exaggerating. Nothing is really being burned into them.
"In the late afternoon the truck came back, bumping and rattling through the dust..." Pg. 95 This is personification, because it is implying that the truck has human characteristics.
"As they pulled in, a stout man, red of face and arms,....." Pg. 125 This is direct characterization, because it is describing the physical appearance of the man.
"Half a dozen tents were pitched near the house, and cars stood beside the tents." Pg. 185 This is personification, because cars cannot stand like humans can.


Characterization
1) "After a while the faces of the watching men lost their bemused perplexity and became hard and angry and resistant." Pg. 3 This is indirect characterization, because it shows the hidden meaning that the men get angry when things don't turn out the way they want.
"He was a heavy man, broad in the shoulders, thick in the stomach." Pg.7 This is direct characterization, because it is describing the man upon physical traits.
"The driver squinted judiciously ahead and built up the speed of the truck a little." Pg. 8 This is indirect characterization, because it is showing how the driver is getting a little nervous, so he decided to speed up his driving.
"His suit was of cheap gray hardcloth and so new that there were creases in the trousers." Pg.6 This is direct characterization, because it explains what his physical appearance looks like.
The author uses both direct and indirect, to make you use your imagination and give you a say in how you interpret the characters. My lasting impression is very detailed, because I am able to piece together all of the information I was given.
2) I do think the authors diction changes when he is focused on a character. He might be more excited to use one character over the other and might have better ideas flowing, using better writing.
3) The protagonist is dynamic and round. In the beginning of the book, Tom Joad starts out living each day, day by day and living in the moment. By the end of the book, Tom realizes that he can't live like that and decides to take hold of his future and prepare himself for what's ahead.
4) After I read the book, I left feeling like I met new people. I was so connected in what was happening in the book, I felt like I got to know the people one on one.