Intercalary Chapters In The Grapes Of Wrath

The Grapes of Wrath gives an in-depth reality to how life should be lived even with the obstacles you overcome. This is explained in the novel through the Joad family. The Joad family consists of a weak family that is about to lose their land in Oklahoma. There was no work for them in their home state due to the Great Depression and Dust Bowl. This leads them to take a chance and journey to California for work. Although, they overcome many obstacles they learn new skills and strengthen their family.

“At the heart of every immigrant’s experience is a dream- a vision of hope that is embodied in his or her destination” (Gladstein 685). In the novel, The Grapes of Wrath the migrants imagined the absolute aspects of living care free to the west. However, everything changed once they traveled to the west, realizing the simple concept turned into hazardous problems. John Steinback emphasized the American dream of economic stability and truculent situations towards the Joads family's point of view. Throughout the immigration, the Joads family goes through constant and unpredictable changes in employment, and their eventual failure to find success in California. The novel has been called by critics "a celebration of the human spirit", in several ways it is true due to the aspects of human nature. Despite the hazardous actions people can do, it is important to realize everything around us.

The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck is mainly written in third-person omniscient, but changes variably within the intercalary chapters. By writing most of the novel from the point of view of an all-knowing being, Steinbeck offers his readers insight into all of his characters’ emotions, opinions, and hardships. Because the author wishes to expose the reader to as many different stories and points of view as possible, some chapters are written in first or second person. This gives the chapters an unsteady feel and mimics the unpredictable issues that plagued the Joads and other families during the 1930’s.

In chapters 28-30, At the cotton fields, the Joads were given a box car to live in, but they were forced to live with another family, the Wainwrights. They made money, so they were able to buy some clothes and food. Ma Joad was even able to eat and treat Ruthie and Winfield to a Cracker Jack candy. When a girl took Ruthie's candy, the girl wanted to fight her and Ruthie told the girl that her brother has killed 2 men. Joad rushed to tell Tom that her secret was out. When Ma returned to the box car a small farmer told her that he need some picker for his 20 acres. The men were forced to beg or steal the food. The rain made the rivers overflow. On the third day of the storm, it still began to continue pouring so sign of clearing. On the sixth

Robert was another friend that Ben had made while working for General Motors. Ben discussed how he and Robert had many things in common. For instance, Ben stated “His forefathers, like mine, had drifted into this moron dragnet lookin’ for steady work and a pocketful of beer change.” (Hamper pg. 53). This is important because, again Ben is showing that they have bonded over personal information rather than how well they do their jobs. Once again, this is away of showing that they respect each other’s individuality by sharing information about each other. When you share information about yourself to someone else you are telling them more about you as a person, not a worker. Ben also goes on to discuss different parts of Robert’s life. For example,

Sixteen of the thirty chapters in the book The Grapes of Wrath written by John Steinbeck are intercalary chapters, between the narrative chapters of the Joads family journey. The Intercalary chapters provide knowledge to magnify the thoughts portrayed in the narrative by the author. By using this writing technique, Steinbeck intends to capture the reader's attention and make it more comprehensible. While reading the Grapes of Wrath, i found myself more engaged due to the intercalary chapters. This unique, structural choice provided background information and enhanced the story of the Joad’s family journey.

This passage shows how partaking in war and hate are often imposed, not voluntary. As Elisha grows more anxious of having to kill John Dawson, Ilana reminds him of the role he must play in this war. “The fear of either the victim or the executioner is unimportant. What matters is the fact that each of them is playing a role that has been imposed upon them” (Wiesel, 141). Although Elisha fears killing John Dawson, he must not consider his emotions because war requires one to play a role- not to see the humanity in another person. Oftentimes, those who partake in a war or hate others aren't acting on their own volition, rather they are playing a role that was forced upon them.

Chapter 11 in Steinbeck’s novel, The Grapes of Wrath, is an intercalary chapter that explores the aftereffects of the abandoned houses left by the migrant farmers. In chapter 11 of The Grapes of Wrath, the author depicts the impact of the vacancy through the interactions between the wildlife and the houses and through the rupture of the houses.

The Grapes of Wrath, written by John Steinbeck, is a story of the Joad family, as they move out west from the Dust Bowl. Tom Joad has recently been let out of prison for a drunken stabbing and sees his family for the first time in years. As the family moves out west, they find the challenges and hardships to be worse as they had first expected. The book shines a light on expectations, and how people set stereotypes based on false assumptions. As humans, people have their own ideas about how minorities should act, behave, and live their lives. We make assumptions and cage people into a stereotype. Throughout the story, every character is unknowingly assigned a stereotype they are meant to hold onto. Wandering out of that boundary is shocking, and even deadly. Steinbeck uses intercalary chapters to further emphasize the theme. An intercalary chapter is inserted into writing between chapters to shine a light on the theme, that relates to the original story. As Steinbeck 's story of the Joad family progresses, the chapters bring forth the assumptions often made about people are sometimes, but very often not true. In The Grapes of Wrath, the intercalary chapters bring forth the set of assumptions and mistakes that are made by the characters. The different stereotypes that are assumed and expectations set for one another, and to see the truth when blinded by expected scenarios are common throughout the story, and are woven into the intercalary chapters to expose

Steinbeck also uses inter-chapters, which are breaks from the story that are completely all descriptive. This book is a narrative about the travel of the Joads; a family from Oklahoma who were kicked off their land and now trying to go to California to make a better living. These inter-chapters provide readers with commentary from the author, as well as a description of the social history behind the book. It paints a picture for what was happening during that time, without these chapters readers would have a very limited view of the way things were.

Plot The Grapes of Wrath follows the trials and tribulations of the Joad family, a struggling group of farmers in Oklahoma after the devastating drought that created the Dust Bowl. Thanks to this natural disaster, the family can no longer support themselves through agriculture and must leave their home. Like many other families at the time, the Joads hear rumors of California having jobs, so they set out for California in search of a more promising future. The Joads experience many difficulties, deaths, and stops along the way, seeing all the different methods and solutions people have to cope with the Great Depression.

These interchapters provide specific evidence to support the experience of the Joads, also making the novel stranger. These chapters provide the reader with historical background, which explain much of the social standards of the time period, giving the reader a better understanding. The realistic description of the times presented in the intercalary chapters allows the reader to identify with the Joads as well as a feel for them as people. The author's purpose for the Grapes of Wrath is that he is trying to highlight how important it iss to work towards solutions to social problems which can impact your or your family in a positive

The author of this chapter says that only the Lord is his refuge. He tells everything that he feels that it is dangerous and hard, and it is He who helps him when he feels that he is not able to do anything. Although no one cares about him, for the Lord is taking care of him, he feels safe.

In chapter three and four, Naomi advises Ruth to consider marrying Boaz. She commands Ruth to wash herself, anoint herself and wear her best clothing before meeting with Boaz to discuss her first rights with marriage. Ruth obeys Naomi, and seeks out to find Boaz. After meeting Boaz at the end of the heap of grain, Ruth mentions her first rights to him. Boaz consents to this, but first must make sure that no other women have first rights. Boaz meets with ten elders of Bethlehem to discuss first rights and the redeeming ofRuth. After the discussion, Boaz redeems and marries Ruth. Together, they conceive a son and name him Obed, who is now part of the lineage of Jesus Christ.

This undoubtedly displease G-d for not trusting in Him first. He remained in prison two more years. Normally