“The Grapes of Wrath” Discussion notes 12-18. American Transcendentalism A means of understanding the physical and spiritual world. A philosophical,

““The Grapes of Wrath”The Grapes of Wrath”

Discussion notes 12-18Discussion notes 12-18

American TranscendentalismAmerican Transcendentalism A means of understanding the physical A means of understanding the physical

and spiritual world.and spiritual world. A philosophical, religious, literary, and A philosophical, religious, literary, and

social movement which reached its peak social movement which reached its peak in the 1830s-1840s.in the 1830s-1840s.

Emerson (as in, Ralph Waldo) proclaimed a Emerson (as in, Ralph Waldo) proclaimed a form of transcendentalism whose genesis form of transcendentalism whose genesis was in his abiding belief that each person was in his abiding belief that each person could be in touch with the god within, as could be in touch with the god within, as well as with the divine currents of the well as with the divine currents of the universe.universe.

American TranscendentalismAmerican Transcendentalism

Emerson looked for primary truth in Emerson looked for primary truth in the fundamental nature of the the fundamental nature of the human mind. We have more in the human mind. We have more in the mind than enters it through the mind than enters it through the senses.senses.

In his essay “Self Reliance” he In his essay “Self Reliance” he asserts one of transcendentalism’s asserts one of transcendentalism’s fundamental tenets: the dignity, the fundamental tenets: the dignity, the ultimate sanctity, of each human ultimate sanctity, of each human being.being.

American TranscendentalismAmerican Transcendentalism

It’s murky, though.It’s murky, though. Transcendentalism’s commitment to Transcendentalism’s commitment to

the individual is a commitment to the the individual is a commitment to the soul or spirit that each person soul or spirit that each person possesses in common with all other possesses in common with all other human beings.human beings.

““There is one mind common to all There is one mind common to all individual men.”individual men.”

American TranscendentalismAmerican Transcendentalism That means there is a social imperative, too:That means there is a social imperative, too:

– The well-being of all individuals is the basic The well-being of all individuals is the basic purpose for all social organizations.purpose for all social organizations.

– Autonomous individuals cannot exist apart Autonomous individuals cannot exist apart from others.from others.

There is a fundamental unity, a basic similarity, in There is a fundamental unity, a basic similarity, in all human experience, which is more important all human experience, which is more important than the many obvious differences. than the many obvious differences.

This gave every human a sense of responsibility This gave every human a sense of responsibility of self-esteem; everyone is part of something of self-esteem; everyone is part of something much bigger than themselves.much bigger than themselves.

He called this being part of something he called He called this being part of something he called the “Oversoul.”the “Oversoul.”

Who does that sound like?Who does that sound like?

TranscendentalismTranscendentalism

““Why do we got to hang Why do we got to hang it on God or Jesus? it on God or Jesus? Maybe, I figgered, Maybe, I figgered, maybe it’s all men an’ maybe it’s all men an’ all women we love; all women we love; maybe that’s the Holy maybe that’s the Holy Sperit – the human Sperit – the human sperit – the whole sperit – the whole shebang. Maybe all men shebang. Maybe all men got one big soul got one big soul ever’body’s a part of.’ever’body’s a part of.’

CasyCasy

Discussion notes: Chapters 12-14Discussion notes: Chapters 12-14

The Joads, perhaps The Joads, perhaps subconsciously, have begun subconsciously, have begun to follow Casy’s spiritual to follow Casy’s spiritual vision. Their merger with the vision. Their merger with the Wilsons shows this:Wilsons shows this:– When the Wilsons open When the Wilsons open

their tent to the Joads, their tent to the Joads, they are saying, they are saying, “Welcome, brothers and “Welcome, brothers and sisters.”sisters.”

– Mrs. Wilson answers Ma’s Mrs. Wilson answers Ma’s thanks for help by saying: thanks for help by saying: “People [have the need] to “People [have the need] to help. Ma later replies: help. Ma later replies: “You can’t let help go “You can’t let help go unwanted.”unwanted.”

Discussion notes: chapters 12-14Discussion notes: chapters 12-14

Theme: Anger and confusion:Theme: Anger and confusion:

Anger, in many guises, dominates the book, and Anger, in many guises, dominates the book, and Steinbeck warns of this in Chapter 14:Steinbeck warns of this in Chapter 14:– Californians’ fear of the migrants turns to anger: “Keep Californians’ fear of the migrants turns to anger: “Keep

two men apart; make them hate, fear, suspect each two men apart; make them hate, fear, suspect each other.”other.”

– If you don’t, then “I lost my land” is changed: a cell is If you don’t, then “I lost my land” is changed: a cell is split, and from its splitting grows the thing you hate: split, and from its splitting grows the thing you hate: “We lost our land.” “We lost our land.”

– The danger is here, for two men are not as lonely and The danger is here, for two men are not as lonely and perplexed as one. And from this first “we,” there grows a perplexed as one. And from this first “we,” there grows a still more dangerous thing:still more dangerous thing:

– ““I have a little food” + “I have none” = We have a little I have a little food” + “I have none” = We have a little food.”food.”

Discussion notes: Chapters 12-14Discussion notes: Chapters 12-14

– This spontaneous This spontaneous sharing is seen when sharing is seen when the Wilsons offer their the Wilsons offer their tent for Grandpa to die tent for Grandpa to die in; Mrs. Wilson gives up in; Mrs. Wilson gives up a quilt to bury him in; a quilt to bury him in; she tears a page from she tears a page from her Bible for Tom to her Bible for Tom to write a eulogy on.write a eulogy on.

– Ma then pledges to care Ma then pledges to care for Mrs. Wilson, and Pa for Mrs. Wilson, and Pa later says, “We almost later says, “We almost got a [family] bond.”got a [family] bond.”

– ““I” becomes “We.”I” becomes “We.”

NaturalismNaturalism Became the dominant literary movement in Became the dominant literary movement in

American fiction by the turn of the 20American fiction by the turn of the 20thth century. century. Early naturalistic writers included Stephen Crane Early naturalistic writers included Stephen Crane

(“The Red Badge of Courage”); Jack London (“The (“The Red Badge of Courage”); Jack London (“The Call of the Wild”); Theodore Dreiser (“An American Call of the Wild”); Theodore Dreiser (“An American Tragedy”).Tragedy”).

Many of their stories manifested Darwin’s theory of Many of their stories manifested Darwin’s theory of “survival of the fittest.”“survival of the fittest.”

Naturalism is a form of extreme realism: “Human Naturalism is a form of extreme realism: “Human beings are animals in a natural world, responding to beings are animals in a natural world, responding to environmental forces and internal stresses and environmental forces and internal stresses and drives, over none of which they have control and drives, over none of which they have control and none of which they fully understand.”none of which they fully understand.”11

1. C. Hugh Holman and William Harmon. A Handbook to Literature, 51. C. Hugh Holman and William Harmon. A Handbook to Literature, 5thth ed. (New York: Macmillan, 1986). ed. (New York: Macmillan, 1986).

NaturalismNaturalism At the heart of this ideology is pessimistic At the heart of this ideology is pessimistic

Determinism: the notion that the causes of Determinism: the notion that the causes of human tragedy lie beyond the powers of the human tragedy lie beyond the powers of the individual.individual.

The movement was influenced by Marxist The movement was influenced by Marxist theory, which holds that class struggle is the theory, which holds that class struggle is the central element of social change in Western central element of social change in Western society.society.

This was coupled with economic problems This was coupled with economic problems stemming from urbanization of America at stemming from urbanization of America at the end of the 19the end of the 19thth century. century.

This combination portrayed socio-economic This combination portrayed socio-economic forces that overwhelm individual lives. forces that overwhelm individual lives.

NaturalismNaturalism

Naturalists focused on the lives of lower-Naturalists focused on the lives of lower-class characters struggling for survival in class characters struggling for survival in an alien and often hostile society: a an alien and often hostile society: a society insensitive to their personal needs society insensitive to their personal needs for fulfillment or self-expression.for fulfillment or self-expression.

Their stories are often told by an “all-Their stories are often told by an “all-knowing” narrator who can relate knowing” narrator who can relate deterministic factors far beyond the deterministic factors far beyond the knowledge of the characters affected by knowledge of the characters affected by them.them.

NaturalismNaturalism The tendency in naturalistic works is that no one The tendency in naturalistic works is that no one

emerges triumphant, because simple survival emerges triumphant, because simple survival constitutes a moral victory. Beaten down by an constitutes a moral victory. Beaten down by an inhuman system and bad luck, many of the inhuman system and bad luck, many of the naturalist writers’ characters end as suicide naturalist writers’ characters end as suicide victims.victims.

John Steinbeck was not a dedicated student of John Steinbeck was not a dedicated student of American naturalism, yet his themes and American naturalism, yet his themes and methods are often closely tied to this literary methods are often closely tied to this literary movement.movement.

Some elements of Some elements of The Grapes of Wrath The Grapes of Wrath might might justify the term “naturalistic,” but the characters justify the term “naturalistic,” but the characters also clearly make humane choices or decisions also clearly make humane choices or decisions that allow them to overcome obstacles and move that allow them to overcome obstacles and move forward. They do more than survive.forward. They do more than survive.

Naturalism: Billy AustinNaturalism: Billy Austin With a partner, conduct this three-step analysis: With a partner, conduct this three-step analysis: STEP ONESTEP ONE: Read the lyrics and write one sentence : Read the lyrics and write one sentence

that summarizes the subject of the song.that summarizes the subject of the song. STEP TWOSTEP TWO: Read the lyrics a second time and write : Read the lyrics a second time and write

notes out to the side of the song that identifies notes out to the side of the song that identifies figurative language: metaphors, similes, figurative language: metaphors, similes, personification, imagery, etc. What message is personification, imagery, etc. What message is communicated to you now? Write two to three communicated to you now? Write two to three sentences that explain your thoughts.sentences that explain your thoughts.

STEP THREESTEP THREE: Read the lyrics a third time. What is : Read the lyrics a third time. What is the author trying to tell you? Evaluate the song. the author trying to tell you? Evaluate the song. What makes it interesting? What is the final message What makes it interesting? What is the final message communicated to you? Write a short reflection on the communicated to you? Write a short reflection on the lyrics.lyrics.

““Billy Austin”Billy Austin” Now, using what you wrote in the three-step Now, using what you wrote in the three-step

process, write a pregnant paragraph in your process, write a pregnant paragraph in your notebooks, considering the following: notebooks, considering the following:

““Seems like I’ve always been in prison, like Seems like I’ve always been in prison, like I’ve always been alone.” What might the I’ve always been alone.” What might the figurative meaning of this statement be? figurative meaning of this statement be? After all, Billy didn’t enter jail the moment After all, Billy didn’t enter jail the moment he exited the womb.he exited the womb.

What clues do we get that the odds are What clues do we get that the odds are stacked against Billy?stacked against Billy?

Billy says he’s guilty: But is there any Billy says he’s guilty: But is there any context for what he has done? Explain.context for what he has done? Explain.

Discussion notes: Chapters 15-18Discussion notes: Chapters 15-18

By chapter 17, the migrant By chapter 17, the migrant families develop certain families develop certain expectations as a society:expectations as a society:– Rules, rights, and customs Rules, rights, and customs

are developed. are developed. – ““They shared their lives, They shared their lives,

their food, and the things their food, and the things they hoped for in the new they hoped for in the new country…twenty families country…twenty families became one family, the became one family, the children were the children children were the children of all.”of all.”

““I” shifts to “We”I” shifts to “We” No one tells each other No one tells each other

what they have to do. They what they have to do. They do it because their survival do it because their survival depends on it.depends on it.

Discussion notes: Chapters 15-18Discussion notes: Chapters 15-18

Allusion: reference to a Allusion: reference to a person, event, place, or person, event, place, or phrase outside of a story phrase outside of a story that the writer assumes that the writer assumes the reader will recognize. the reader will recognize.

An allusive reference can An allusive reference can be real or fictional.be real or fictional.

A literary allusion refers to A literary allusion refers to another written work, art another written work, art piece, book, etc.piece, book, etc.

By chapter 18, when the By chapter 18, when the Joads cross the desert into Joads cross the desert into California, we see Biblical California, we see Biblical allusions galore.allusions galore.

Discussion notes: Chapters 15-18Discussion notes: Chapters 15-18

Steinbeck enlarges the significance of his Okies’ Steinbeck enlarges the significance of his Okies’ experiences by associating them with those of the experiences by associating them with those of the Israelites (the chosen people) in the Old Testament, Israelites (the chosen people) in the Old Testament, and, thus, suggesting their human and historical and, thus, suggesting their human and historical significance.significance.

Although not formally divided as such, the novel falls Although not formally divided as such, the novel falls into three parts.into three parts.

The drought and dispossession in Oklahoma (chapters The drought and dispossession in Oklahoma (chapters 1-11): corresponds to the oppression and bondage of 1-11): corresponds to the oppression and bondage of the Israelites in Egypt.the Israelites in Egypt.

The journey on Route 66 (chapters 12-18): The journey on Route 66 (chapters 12-18): corresponds to their Exodus and wandering into the corresponds to their Exodus and wandering into the wilderness.wilderness.

The arrival in California (chapters 19-30): corresponds The arrival in California (chapters 19-30): corresponds to their entrance into the Land of Canaan.to their entrance into the Land of Canaan.

Discussion notes: Chapters 15-18Discussion notes: Chapters 15-18

Other parallels:Other parallels:– The plagues in Egypt: the drought in The plagues in Egypt: the drought in

Oklahoma.Oklahoma.– Egyptian oppressors: the bank officials.Egyptian oppressors: the bank officials.– Hostile Canaanites: hostile Californians Hostile Canaanites: hostile Californians

(“goddamned Okies”).(“goddamned Okies”).– The “Promised Land” in both instances is first The “Promised Land” in both instances is first

viewed from a mountaintop (chapter 18 in the viewed from a mountaintop (chapter 18 in the novel).novel).

– 12 tribes of Israel: 12 members of the Joad 12 tribes of Israel: 12 members of the Joad family (counting Connie).family (counting Connie).

The Grapes of Wrath: Exam 2 The Grapes of Wrath: Exam 2 previewpreview

Identify instances where we see the shift from “I” to “We.” Identify instances where we see the shift from “I” to “We.” Recognize how this connects to Transcendentalism.Recognize how this connects to Transcendentalism.

Particularly re-visitParticularly re-visit– Chapter 17: Review the “society” that sets up nightly on the Chapter 17: Review the “society” that sets up nightly on the

road: the rules, the customs, punishments, etc.road: the rules, the customs, punishments, etc.– Chapter 18: The conversation between Sairy Wilson and Casy Chapter 18: The conversation between Sairy Wilson and Casy

before the families separate.before the families separate.   Would you generally know about:Would you generally know about: Mae, the waitress at the diner (chapter 15) and what happens Mae, the waitress at the diner (chapter 15) and what happens

there?there? The one-eyed man at the junkyard, how Tom reacts to him, and The one-eyed man at the junkyard, how Tom reacts to him, and

Tom and Al’s purpose for going there (chapter 16)?Tom and Al’s purpose for going there (chapter 16)? The declining number of Joads?The declining number of Joads?