Turtle Symbolism Essay

When one thinks of turtles, an image of a protruding head dragging its lumbering body behind it often comes to mind. With their protective shells and stout legs, turtles slowly but purposefully plod along their path. Turtles are used in numerous works of literature as symbols of cunningness, creation, and tenacity, as in the famous Aesop’s Fable, The Tortoise and the Hare, and in Native American folklore. In John Steinbeck’s novel, The Grapes of Wrath, Steinbeck creates his own imagery of the turtle. The Grapes of Wrath tells the story of displaced farming families trying to make better lives for themselves during the Great Depression. Steinbeck focuses on the fictional tale of the Joad family, who, like many others, are traveling to California in search of work. Throughout his novel, Steinbeck includes short stories that describe the setting and symbolize the plight of the people who survived the Great Depression. One such story is the narrative of a turtle trying to cross a highway. As the turtle cautiously proceeds, he is faced with life threatening challenges that he overcomes to the benefit of his society. As the turtle crosses the highway, he effectively …show more content…
Steinbeck alternates chapters between the story of the Joads and narratives showing the big picture of the struggles many faced during the late 1930’s. Steinbeck successfully uses the anecdote of the turtle to symbolize the Joads by exhibiting the way they support each other, inspiring one another to persevere in their journey of survival. The greater community is represented by the obstacles with which the turtle is faced and the demonstration of the interdependence of the turtle 's actions. As the turtle plods along, dragging his shell behind him, Steinbeck uses his imagery to epitomize the plight of the migrant