This chapter is full of examples of antithesis and parallelism. Choose an example of either antithesis or parallelism from the text and write about its significance to the chapter. Do not repeat anyone else's answer.
An example of antithesis in chapter 8 is: “She looked out into the sunny yard, at the dark figure of a man.” This is referring to Joad’s mother when she first sees Joad in the yard. The significance of dark and light in the sentence show the difference in emotions that each character is feeling. The contrast signifies the melancholy feelings which the Joad family endures. For example, being reunited with your family should be a joyful time, yet the family is dirt poor so a cloud is overcast upon the family’s happiness.
The Joad's ask Casey to give the prayer at dinner, and he reluctantly agrees. Instead of an actual prayer, per se, he gave a bit of a lecture about how mankind, in the deeds it does, marks itself holy. However, the Joads refuse to eat dinner until he says Amen. Their oblivious attitude is a sort of antithesis on its own, as Casey was saying how god is not holy, man is holy, and yet they won't eat until he gives thanks the the "unholy" god.
"Joad's face seemed to darken with the growing light." This antithesis forshadows Tom meeting his family. It gave the idea that though there was happiness for the reunion, the circumstances for the being thrown out of the house mad it slightly downcast in its tone.
Thus far, the book has reminded me of Gatsby. The parallelism between the two is not open, but is there. Each book takes us through a decade. While Gatsby talked about "the Roaring 20's," Grapes talks about "the dirty 30's". Triumphs and trials. Hell and high water. Social status, finding one's self. In Gatsby, Nick meets new people, people he likes, and people he doesnt always like. Tom meets people along his way.
Just as The Great Gatsby had flashbacks to previous days, and years, The Grapes of Wrath also has flashbacks. Casey is telling Tom in previous chapters how he remembers baptizing him. Tom has flashbacks with Casey while they are sitting around under the tree, and on their way to the house.
Antithesis means oppisite or direct oppisite for anyone else who doesn't know. From that i conclude that Joad saing that Muley he was surprised Muley came up to them and that Muley was scared to see people now is an antithesis. I believe Muley would have walked up to anyone he saw, except the silly policemen. Muley was more than likely desperate for conversation and company. He was a loner, but all people want conversation and company no matter what their actions perceive.
One of the most distinct parallels in chapter eight is that between Uncle John's behavior and that of society in the 1930's. John's wife once had a stomachache, but he refused to take her to the doctor. However, John's wife was indeed seriously ill, and she died. To cope with his guilt, John now performs good deeds, like leaving gum for children and delivering food to this neighbors. This is similar to the general public during the same time. Just like the stomachache, the aching of the farmers has been ignored and brushed aside. Eventually, society will try to right itself, but it will be too late.
Chapter Eight introduces the readers to Tom Joad's family including his oldest brother, Noah. "He was a stranger to all the world, but he was not lonely," is an antithesis in this chapter describing Noah. Few people could relate to Noah due to the fact he rarely spoke, however, he also never became lonely as a result. He did not need other people to complete his life. This is significant to the chapter because it relates to lonelieness. During the Dust Bowl, countless people felt lonely because of events taking place. Although they may have felt alone during this time, many other people across the nation had the same feelings. This scenario is similar to the antithesis in Chapter Eight.
The author in describing Ma's clothing says, "She sore a loose Mother Hubbard of gray cloth in which there had once been colored flowers, but the color was washed out now, so that the small flowered pattern was only a little lighter gray than the background." This antithesis involving Ma's clothing suggests the amount of work she has done while wearing it and that hard times have fallen on the family and she does not have the money or materials to get some newer clothes.
One example of antithesis from this chapter deals with Tom Joad's past. He was jailed for killing a man. Most people would do what the truck driver did and kind of distance themselves from that person. But when Tom got back to his family he was admired for doing it and being in jail. His family was even recognized for it by the entire community.
"Her hazel eyes seemed to have experienced all possible tragedy and to have mounted pain and suffering like steps in to a high calm and superhuman understanding." The sentence is an example of antithesis due to the word choice of tragedy, pain, and suffering leading to the discussion of high calm and understanding. This sentence is significant to the chapter because it shows the kind of woman Ma is and helps the reader understand how she is such an important member in the family.
Ma is described as the antithesis of many other female characters Steinbeck has written about, such as Curley’s wife. She is a woman of work, who has seen much. She is described as the foundation as the family, a rock. Whereas Curley’s wife, did not care for her family and merely wanted attention by flirting with men; she wanted the best for herself and Ma wants the best for her family.
The second paragraph of the first page of chapter eight is just bursting with a reflection of life and death as an antithesis. It seems as though anywhere the men touch dies (the crushed clods beneath their feet) and anywhere that remains untouched by the duo stays living (cotton fields scurried to life.) It also blends the two (life and death) into each and every sentence, providing a certain parallel structure of ideas that remains constant throughout the paragraph.
"The faces of the men lost their grayish shine. Joad's face seemed to darken with the growing light. "This is the good time," Joad said softly."
The antithesis of the the growing light in comparison to Joad's darkening face may hint at the change and bitterness Joad now held in comparison to when he was young and would love to walk around at this time of the day.
"And her joy was nearly like sorrow" (pg 101). This is an example of antithesis. Joy is, in no way, like sorrow. The way that these emotions relate to the plot is derived from the desperation and pressure the Joad family is feeling to feed and shelter in their family. Now that Tom Jr. is back from jail, their family is complete again, causing the feeling of joy. He is, like we discussed in the Socratic Circle on Friday, also another mouth to feed, and that is a root that sorrow can grow from. The whole era of the Dust Bowl causes even the most joyous of people to have a tremendous weight on their shoulders. Because of the problems the families were facing, there was little margin to be a free spirit.
This chapter and through out the book shows alot of flashbacks, like several students mentioned. I agree with all the examples, but I can not come up with anything new that would not be a repeat.
Page 90 - "The cotton field scurried with waking life..."
Although this sentence is describing the creatures in the field literally waking up and becoming active, it struck me as a contradiction to the situation that the area of land was in. Because it is during the Depression and there has been no water, one would probably not think of the field as being "with life", but probably as dry and dying. The life in the field among the dead land is an example of antithesis. It can also show that in the Dust Bowl, although the farmers have nothing to be joyful about, they are still alive and "full of life."
An example of antithesis is found on page 93. "Green appeared on the cotton plants and the earth was gray-brown." The lively green color of the plants is contrasted with the dead, dry earth.
One example of antithesis is on page 101. It says "And here join was nearly like sorrow" This is refering to when Ma first saw Tom. Behind the antithesis is the happiness of seeing her "lost" son again and yet there is the worry of what Tom might have become now that he has been in prison.
"Two rangy shepherd dogs trotted up pleasantly, until they caught the scent of stranger, and they backed cautiously away, watchful, and their tails moving slowly and tentatively in the air, but their eyes and noses quick for animosity or danger." (98). This quote is an example of antithesis particularly in the slow tails and quick eyes of the dogs. This is significant regarding the story because it draws a perfect connection to how people during the Dust Bowl must behave: quiet and agreeable behavior (moving when asked) with agressive and sharp thoughts (exact planning as to how a family can continue). Moreover, the same quote is slightly antithetical in its description of arrival juxtaposed with departure which is symbolic because the departure is caused by the scent of humans. This relates to the story in that the farmers of the Dust Bowl stick with their own kind and form tightly knit communities and avoid the government and big companies that try and push them off their land.
One of the most humorous and obvious examples of parallelism is the question that seems to be on everyone's mind: whether Tom had butsted out of prison or not. Each of the family reacts to the reply in a different manner; for example Ma seems relieved, while Al is disappointed. The question, however, still runs rampant on each of the family member's conversation.
Through out this chapter there are references to how the people in the story are becoming grey and worn down. Kind of like an old object tarnishing. The peoples situation parallels to what has become of nature around them. The Dust Bowl caused the vegetation to shrivle up and die. Everything was dark, grey, and filthy just as the people were wearing down because of the hardships they were encountering.
In the first chapter, it states that Tom had recently gotten out of jail. For most people, going to jail would be a thing that you would be ashamed of. However, the Joad family seems to admire Tom for going to jail.
Joad's arrival is received with mixed emotional response. While much of the family displays a clear overwhelming joy at the prodigal return, others, more specifically Ma, are apprehensive. Steinback paralls these conflicting emotions in his writing. Upon Joad's arrival he is meet by the former of the two, when he comes upon his father whom seems to have the emotionally capacity of a energetic canine. Then inside Joad is face with his Mother's apprehension. Finally this is countered the overwhelming joy by the one-dimensional, comic releif of Grandpa.
The Preacher's walking was described, "...And the light of the coming morning made his forehead seem to shine, and his hands, swinging beside him, flicked into the light and out again." I think that the light flicking in and out symbolizes the Casey seeing his faith in flashes. One minute he thinks like a preacher and the next he is off in the grass with a girl. Also the light shining on his forehead might be the light that God shines on him and the swinging back and forth is the decision whether to share that light with others.
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An example of antithesis in chapter 8 is: “She looked out into the sunny yard, at the dark figure of a man.” This is referring to Joad’s mother when she first sees Joad in the yard. The significance of dark and light in the sentence show the difference in emotions that each character is feeling. The contrast signifies the melancholy feelings which the Joad family endures. For example, being reunited with your family should be a joyful time, yet the family is dirt poor so a cloud is overcast upon the family’s happiness.
The Joad's ask Casey to give the prayer at dinner, and he reluctantly agrees. Instead of an actual prayer, per se, he gave a bit of a lecture about how mankind, in the deeds it does, marks itself holy. However, the Joads refuse to eat dinner until he says Amen. Their oblivious attitude is a sort of antithesis on its own, as Casey was saying how god is not holy, man is holy, and yet they won't eat until he gives thanks the the "unholy" god.
"Joad's face seemed to darken with the growing light." This antithesis forshadows Tom meeting his family. It gave the idea that though there was happiness for the reunion, the circumstances for the being thrown out of the house mad it slightly downcast in its tone.
Thus far, the book has reminded me of Gatsby. The parallelism between the two is not open, but is there. Each book takes us through a decade. While Gatsby talked about "the Roaring 20's," Grapes talks about "the dirty 30's". Triumphs and trials. Hell and high water. Social status, finding one's self. In Gatsby, Nick meets new people, people he likes, and people he doesnt always like. Tom meets people along his way.
Just as The Great Gatsby had flashbacks to previous days, and years, The Grapes of Wrath also has flashbacks. Casey is telling Tom in previous chapters how he remembers baptizing him. Tom has flashbacks with Casey while they are sitting around under the tree, and on their way to the house.
Antithesis means oppisite or direct oppisite for anyone else who doesn't know. From that i conclude that Joad saing that Muley he was surprised Muley came up to them and that Muley was scared to see people now is an antithesis. I believe Muley would have walked up to anyone he saw, except the silly policemen. Muley was more than likely desperate for conversation and company. He was a loner, but all people want conversation and company no matter what their actions perceive.
One of the most distinct parallels in chapter eight is that between Uncle John's behavior and that of society in the 1930's. John's wife once had a stomachache, but he refused to take her to the doctor. However, John's wife was indeed seriously ill, and she died. To cope with his guilt, John now performs good deeds, like leaving gum for children and delivering food to this neighbors. This is similar to the general public during the same time. Just like the stomachache, the aching of the farmers has been ignored and brushed aside. Eventually, society will try to right itself, but it will be too late.
Chapter Eight introduces the readers to Tom Joad's family including his oldest brother, Noah. "He was a stranger to all the world, but he was not lonely," is an antithesis in this chapter describing Noah. Few people could relate to Noah due to the fact he rarely spoke, however, he also never became lonely as a result. He did not need other people to complete his life.
This is significant to the chapter because it relates to lonelieness. During the Dust Bowl, countless people felt lonely because of events taking place. Although they may have felt alone during this time, many other people across the nation had the same feelings. This scenario is similar to the antithesis in Chapter Eight.
The author in describing Ma's clothing says, "She sore a loose Mother Hubbard of gray cloth in which there had once been colored flowers, but the color was washed out now, so that the small flowered pattern was only a little lighter gray than the background." This antithesis involving Ma's clothing suggests the amount of work she has done while wearing it and that hard times have fallen on the family and she does not have the money or materials to get some newer clothes.
One example of antithesis from this chapter deals with Tom Joad's past. He was jailed for killing a man. Most people would do what the truck driver did and kind of distance themselves from that person. But when Tom got back to his family he was admired for doing it and being in jail. His family was even recognized for it by the entire community.
"Her hazel eyes seemed to have experienced all possible tragedy and to have mounted pain and suffering like steps in to a high calm and superhuman understanding." The sentence is an example of antithesis due to the word choice of tragedy, pain, and suffering leading to the discussion of high calm and understanding. This sentence is significant to the chapter because it shows the kind of woman Ma is and helps the reader understand how she is such an important member in the family.
Ma is described as the antithesis of many other female characters Steinbeck has written about, such as Curley’s wife. She is a woman of work, who has seen much. She is described as the foundation as the family, a rock. Whereas Curley’s wife, did not care for her family and merely wanted attention by flirting with men; she wanted the best for herself and Ma wants the best for her family.
The second paragraph of the first page of chapter eight is just bursting with a reflection of life and death as an antithesis. It seems as though anywhere the men touch dies (the crushed clods beneath their feet) and anywhere that remains untouched by the duo stays living (cotton fields scurried to life.) It also blends the two (life and death) into each and every sentence, providing a certain parallel structure of ideas that remains constant throughout the paragraph.
"The faces of the men lost their grayish shine. Joad's face seemed to darken with the growing light. "This is the good time," Joad said softly."
The antithesis of the the growing light in comparison to Joad's darkening face may hint at the change and bitterness Joad now held in comparison to when he was young and would love to walk around at this time of the day.
"And her joy was nearly like sorrow" (pg 101). This is an example of antithesis. Joy is, in no way, like sorrow. The way that these emotions relate to the plot is derived from the desperation and pressure the Joad family is feeling to feed and shelter in their family. Now that Tom Jr. is back from jail, their family is complete again, causing the feeling of joy. He is, like we discussed in the Socratic Circle on Friday, also another mouth to feed, and that is a root that sorrow can grow from. The whole era of the Dust Bowl causes even the most joyous of people to have a tremendous weight on their shoulders. Because of the problems the families were facing, there was little margin to be a free spirit.
This chapter and through out the book shows alot of flashbacks, like several students mentioned. I agree with all the examples, but I can not come up with anything new that would not be a repeat.
Page 90 - "The cotton field scurried with waking life..."
Although this sentence is describing the creatures in the field literally waking up and becoming active, it struck me as a contradiction to the situation that the area of land was in. Because it is during the Depression and there has been no water, one would probably not think of the field as being "with life", but probably as dry and dying. The life in the field among the dead land is an example of antithesis. It can also show that in the Dust Bowl, although the farmers have nothing to be joyful about, they are still alive and "full of life."
An example of antithesis is found on page 93. "Green appeared on the cotton plants and the earth was gray-brown." The lively green color of the plants is contrasted with the dead, dry earth.
One example of antithesis is on page 101. It says "And here join was nearly like sorrow" This is refering to when Ma first saw Tom. Behind the antithesis is the happiness of seeing her "lost" son again and yet there is the worry of what Tom might have become now that he has been in prison.
"Two rangy shepherd dogs trotted up pleasantly, until they caught the scent of stranger, and they backed cautiously away, watchful, and their tails moving slowly and tentatively in the air, but their eyes and noses quick for animosity or danger." (98). This quote is an example of antithesis particularly in the slow tails and quick eyes of the dogs. This is significant regarding the story because it draws a perfect connection to how people during the Dust Bowl must behave: quiet and agreeable behavior (moving when asked) with agressive and sharp thoughts (exact planning as to how a family can continue). Moreover, the same quote is slightly antithetical in its description of arrival juxtaposed with departure which is symbolic because the departure is caused by the scent of humans. This relates to the story in that the farmers of the Dust Bowl stick with their own kind and form tightly knit communities and avoid the government and big companies that try and push them off their land.
One of the most humorous and obvious examples of parallelism is the question that seems to be on everyone's mind: whether Tom had butsted out of prison or not. Each of the family reacts to the reply in a different manner; for example Ma seems relieved, while Al is disappointed. The question, however, still runs rampant on each of the family member's conversation.
Through out this chapter there are references to how the people in the story are becoming grey and worn down. Kind of like an old object tarnishing. The peoples situation parallels to what has become of nature around them. The Dust Bowl caused the vegetation to shrivle up and die. Everything was dark, grey, and filthy just as the people were wearing down because of the hardships they were encountering.
In the first chapter, it states that Tom had recently gotten out of jail. For most people, going to jail would be a thing that you would be ashamed of. However, the Joad family seems to admire Tom for going to jail.
Joad's arrival is received with mixed emotional response. While much of the family displays a clear overwhelming joy at the prodigal return, others, more specifically Ma, are apprehensive. Steinback paralls these conflicting emotions in his writing. Upon Joad's arrival he is meet by the former of the two, when he comes upon his father whom seems to have the emotionally capacity of a energetic canine. Then inside Joad is face with his Mother's apprehension. Finally this is countered the overwhelming joy by the one-dimensional, comic releif of Grandpa.
The Preacher's walking was described, "...And the light of the coming morning made his forehead seem to shine, and his hands, swinging beside him, flicked into the light and out again." I think that the light flicking in and out symbolizes the Casey seeing his faith in flashes. One minute he thinks like a preacher and the next he is off in the grass with a girl. Also the light shining on his forehead might be the light that God shines on him and the swinging back and forth is the decision whether to share that light with others.
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