“The Great Depression is an event that will never be forgotten by any generation.”(Temin) From 1929 to 1939 the United States experienced several events that impacted every member of the nation. In 1929 the stock market crashed which caused panic in Wall Street and affected millions of investors. Over the time of several years, the industrial output declined steeply, as a result of a combination of consumer spending and the dropping of investing. The decline in industrial output caused many workers to be laid off and employment dropped to very low levels. The agricultural industry was mainly impacted during this time. From 1930 to 1936, land used for agriculture suffered great damage because of flawed farming practices. This combined with severe
…show more content…
The scene, which as become most controversial, happens to be the ending scene of the novel. The closing scene of Grapes of Wrath consists of the remaining members of the Joad family looking for shelter from the flooding rains. Ma Joad sees a barn far in the distance and urges the family to seek shelter in it. Upon entering the barn, the Joad family realizes that two other people have already inhabited the place; a young boy and his dying father. The boy informs the Joads that his father has not eaten in six day and that he will starve to death if food isn’t given to him soon. Unable to eat solid food, the father is feed breastmilk by one of the Joads, Rose of Sharon, who early had giving birth to a stillborn baby. Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck has been known for it’s controversial ending that explores the unity of human beings, the circle of life and …show more content…
The act of breastfeeding is one reserved between a child and its mother. Many times breastfeeding is seen as sexual and society can frown upon this simple act. This is partly the reason for the controversy surrounding the ending of The Grapes of Wrath. “Society becomes sterialized, to the extent of deming certain human behaviors as uncivilized.”(French) Society attempts to bring neutrality, but fails in seeing things as they are. Breastfeeding is necessary for an infant to become nourished and grow. Rose of Sharon does breastfeed a man, rather than an infant and because of this she sacrificed her image. Rose of Sharon knowns what she has done, but understands that her sacrifice will bring a dying man life. “She looked up and across the barn, and her lips came together and smiled mysteriously.”(Steinbeck) This final line has been regarded time and time again, many don’t understand it’s significan. The understanding and fulfillment that self-sacrifice brings an individual can not be comprehended by society. Communities place worth on the welfare of a group, rather than the welfare of an individual. Rose of Sharon does acts outside of what society established to be acceptable, even though it was for a good
The scene, which as become most controversial, happens to be the ending scene of the novel. The closing scene of Grapes of Wrath consists of the remaining members of the Joad family looking for shelter from the flooding rains. Ma Joad sees a barn far in the distance and urges the family to seek shelter in it. Upon entering the barn, the Joad family realizes that two other people have already inhabited the place; a young boy and his dying father. The boy informs the Joads that his father has not eaten in six day and that he will starve to death if food isn’t given to him soon. Unable to eat solid food, the father is feed breastmilk by one of the Joads, Rose of Sharon, who early had giving birth to a stillborn baby. Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck has been known for it’s controversial ending that explores the unity of human beings, the circle of life and …show more content…
The act of breastfeeding is one reserved between a child and its mother. Many times breastfeeding is seen as sexual and society can frown upon this simple act. This is partly the reason for the controversy surrounding the ending of The Grapes of Wrath. “Society becomes sterialized, to the extent of deming certain human behaviors as uncivilized.”(French) Society attempts to bring neutrality, but fails in seeing things as they are. Breastfeeding is necessary for an infant to become nourished and grow. Rose of Sharon does breastfeed a man, rather than an infant and because of this she sacrificed her image. Rose of Sharon knowns what she has done, but understands that her sacrifice will bring a dying man life. “She looked up and across the barn, and her lips came together and smiled mysteriously.”(Steinbeck) This final line has been regarded time and time again, many don’t understand it’s significan. The understanding and fulfillment that self-sacrifice brings an individual can not be comprehended by society. Communities place worth on the welfare of a group, rather than the welfare of an individual. Rose of Sharon does acts outside of what society established to be acceptable, even though it was for a good