In The Grapes of Wrath, John Steinbeck uses the unconventional, intercalary chapters in the structure of this novel. These intercalary chapters are a narrative technique in which Steinbeck informs the reader about the economic impact of the Great Depression upon the common farmers in the U.S. during that time. In chapter 11, Steinbeck uses the intercalary chapter technique to describe the incoming of the modern tractors and the effect this modernization had on the land the farmers had occupied. Steinbeck’s masterful use of syntax, diction and parallelism to create depressed, degenerating tone of human loss.
In chapter 11, Steinbeck uses specific syntax to depict a tone of loss and degeneration. In the beginning of this chapter, Steinbeck writes …show more content…
By describing the driver of the tractor as a “machine man”, Steinbeck once again shows the reader that life is leaving the farm (Steinbeck). Steinbeck continues to describe the driver of the tractor as one who “understands only chemistry; and he is contemptuous of the land and of himself” (Steinbeck). By referring to science rather than nature, Steinbeck shows that the modernization of farming is causing men to lose their ties to the land. Finally, Steinbeck closes this chapter by stating “And on windy nights the doors banged, and the ragged curtains fluttered in the broken windows” (Steinbeck). By ending this
chapter with the emptiness of the homes, Steinbeck shows that the exodus of the farmers has changed the land. Through his use of diction, Steinbeck creates the image of land abandoned and desolate which adds to the depressed tone of the chapter.
In The Grapes of Wrath, John Steinbeck uses the unconventional, intercalary chapters in the structure of this novel. By using intercalary chapters, Steinbeck successfully narrates the impact of the Great Depression on the family farmers and the abandoned land. Steinbeck’s effective use of syntax, parallelism, and diction help create a depressed tone and add to the feeling of loss in this
In chapter 11, Steinbeck uses specific syntax to depict a tone of loss and degeneration. In the beginning of this chapter, Steinbeck writes …show more content…
By describing the driver of the tractor as a “machine man”, Steinbeck once again shows the reader that life is leaving the farm (Steinbeck). Steinbeck continues to describe the driver of the tractor as one who “understands only chemistry; and he is contemptuous of the land and of himself” (Steinbeck). By referring to science rather than nature, Steinbeck shows that the modernization of farming is causing men to lose their ties to the land. Finally, Steinbeck closes this chapter by stating “And on windy nights the doors banged, and the ragged curtains fluttered in the broken windows” (Steinbeck). By ending this
chapter with the emptiness of the homes, Steinbeck shows that the exodus of the farmers has changed the land. Through his use of diction, Steinbeck creates the image of land abandoned and desolate which adds to the depressed tone of the chapter.
In The Grapes of Wrath, John Steinbeck uses the unconventional, intercalary chapters in the structure of this novel. By using intercalary chapters, Steinbeck successfully narrates the impact of the Great Depression on the family farmers and the abandoned land. Steinbeck’s effective use of syntax, parallelism, and diction help create a depressed tone and add to the feeling of loss in this