Unity of a Family Explored in The Grapes of Wrath Essay

Unity of a Family Explored in The Grapes of Wrath nbsp; One would say that on a literal level The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck is about the Joad familys journey to California during The Dust Bowl. However, it is also about the unity of a family and the concept of birth and death, both literal and abstract. Along with this, the idea of a family unit is explored through these births and deaths. nbsp; As can be seen in The Grapes of Wrath, the Joads are a very tight-knit family. Yet on their trip to California, they experience many losses and additions to their family. In general, Steinbecks novel abides by the circle of life. When a birth occurs, a death follows, and when a death occurs, a birth follows. However, in The†¦show more content†¦In Chapter Thirteen, Grampa does die, as he was never truly the same once he left his land. This is because the land goes back to Grampas ancestry, and losing the land is like losing a family member. This is the Joad familys first run in with death on their journey, yet Ma Joad still manages to keep the family together. nbsp; Moreover, in Chapter Thirteen, as the Joad family continues on their journey, they meet the Wilson family. The two families decide to carry on with their trip together. It is at this point that Steinbeck follows the pattern of the circle of life. Steinbeck begins by writing about the rebirth of Tom Joad. Next, Grampa dies. Following this, there is a birth for the Joads when they add the Wilson family to their own. However, as previously stated, in order to represent the hardships of the journey, many more deaths than births occur in the novel. In Chapter Eighteen alone, Noah leaves the family, the Joads continue on without the Wilson family, and Granma dies. It may seem like these losses would tear the family apart, but Ma Joad understands the concept of family, and tries her hardest to keep the family as one unit. For example, Ma Joad sits up all night with Granmas dead body, jut so the family can cross the border. The fambly hadda get acrost (312). nbsp; Furthermore, by the time Chapter Nineteen ends, the Joads lost their land, their dog, Grampa, Noah, Granma, and the Wilsons. In ChapterShow MoreRelated Role of the Family Explored in Slapstick and Grapes of Wrath2584 Words   |  11 PagesRole of the Family Explored in Slapstick and Grapes of Wrath  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚   On Maslows hierarchy of needs, the need for belongingness and love ranks only below the need for survival, making it one of our most basic needs (Weiten 267). Many people fill this need for affection by participating in a family unit. However, as the 20th century continues, the emphasis on family in America is decreasing. Divorce rates, single-parent households, and children born out of wedlock are all increasing. FurthermoreRead MoreRastafarian79520 Words   |  319 Pagesgrew up in Jamaica at a time when Rastas were still regarded as useless, lazy, half-insane, ganja-smoking illiterates who were of no value to society. Teachers, students, ofï ¬ ce workers, and anyone of social importance could not grow locks, and families would go into mourning when their sons would start sprouting them. I heard the term â€Å"black heart man† used again and again as a means of expressing fear or ridicule of the Rastafarian. And this was in the early 1970s—after Bob Marleys emergence