Sacrifices Shown Throughout The Grapes of Wrath The Grapes of Wrath is a novel written by John Steinbeck about the struggles that arise for the Joads as they fight the harsh conditions the economy puts them in. The Joads, a family of Oklahoma residents, move away to California in search of a job after they are kicked off their land by the Dust Bowl and the Great Depression. Their journey to California creates many hardships, as they try to prosper while helping others. John Steinbeck values and respects the people throughout the book who sacrifice themselves for other people’s needs. Readers witness these values when Ma suffers for the family’s goal, Casy sacrifices himself for the benefit of others, and Rose of Sharon comes up with a decision
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Surprisingly, Rose of Sharon showed moral fiber when she forgets about her endless complaints and helps someone else. Despite being weak and barely having enough energy for herself, Rose of Sharon offers a dying man her breast milk in order to save him from perishing. Steinbeck once again values her sacrifice and describes her act, “Rose of Sharon loosened one side of the blanket and bared her breast. ‘You got to,’ she said. She squirmed closer and pulled his head close. ‘There!’ she said. ‘There.’” (455). Throughout the book, Rose of Sharon was always whining and complaining about the difficulties she had to handle with the baby. However, at the last moment of the book, she becomes a motherly figure who sacrifices herself for the sick. Rose of Sharon’s decision to help the weary man is valued by Steinbeck, since it was hard for her to do that not only physically but also emotionally; because that milk was meant for the baby she recently lost. Throughout The Grapes of Wrath, Steinbeck shows his unwavering respect for his character’s willingness to sacrifice themselves for the benefit of others. His descriptions and imagery render a very positive picture of his characters. Ma makes an incredible, emotional sacrifice by quietly spending the night next to grandma’s corpse. Casy faces prison to ensure that the Joads reach their final destination. Finally, in a beautiful twist of events, Steinbeck shows
Surprisingly, Rose of Sharon showed moral fiber when she forgets about her endless complaints and helps someone else. Despite being weak and barely having enough energy for herself, Rose of Sharon offers a dying man her breast milk in order to save him from perishing. Steinbeck once again values her sacrifice and describes her act, “Rose of Sharon loosened one side of the blanket and bared her breast. ‘You got to,’ she said. She squirmed closer and pulled his head close. ‘There!’ she said. ‘There.’” (455). Throughout the book, Rose of Sharon was always whining and complaining about the difficulties she had to handle with the baby. However, at the last moment of the book, she becomes a motherly figure who sacrifices herself for the sick. Rose of Sharon’s decision to help the weary man is valued by Steinbeck, since it was hard for her to do that not only physically but also emotionally; because that milk was meant for the baby she recently lost. Throughout The Grapes of Wrath, Steinbeck shows his unwavering respect for his character’s willingness to sacrifice themselves for the benefit of others. His descriptions and imagery render a very positive picture of his characters. Ma makes an incredible, emotional sacrifice by quietly spending the night next to grandma’s corpse. Casy faces prison to ensure that the Joads reach their final destination. Finally, in a beautiful twist of events, Steinbeck shows