Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Rose of Sharon's Pregnancy
During the
course of the novel, I thought about the symbolism of certain characters or
events that John Steinbeck portrayed though, one that captured my
attention was Rose of Sharon's pregnancy. Rose of Sharon's pregnancy is a
symbol of new beginnings and hope for the migrant class during
this time period. Rose of Sharon is pregnant throughout the novel and deeply in
love with her husband Connie. Both of these characters have dreams and plans
about their future in California in order to give their baby all of the necessities.
Unfortunately, those dreams become part of the past once Connie left Rose of
Sharon. Rose of Sharon begins acting startled by all of the
situations that follow including the instability of the family and the lack of
milk she received. Therefore, she begins to think of her baby being born
deformed or with health problems. Towards the end of the novel Rose of Sharon
gives birth to a stillborn baby. The symbol of new beginnings and hope seemed
to be departing from the family yet, the Joad family kept walking
until they approached to a barn where a little boy and a starved man were
staying. The ending Steinbeck decided to conclude with was the scene of Rose of Sharon breastfeeding the
old man giving him a new opportunity. This symbolizes once again hope of
survival for the migrant class and new opportunities that are yet to come.
The last sentence of the novel reads: "She looked up and across the barn, and her
lips came together and smiled mysteriously."
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I completely agree to your blog about Rose of Sharon's pregnancy. I felt that due to the abandonment of her husband, and the continuous struggles her family faced it was almost as if the labor of this child would be a new start, a new journey. However, I felt as if Steinbeck's intensions of Rose giving birth to a stillborn child caused the reader to reflect deeply on the death and by him ending the novel with Rose breast feeding a starving man also gave a sense of hope. This gave me the impression of an even more thoughtful approach to ending the story. Steinbeck could have left the story with a stillborn child but because of the starving man (placed in the perfect timing) Rose was able to contribute life again. Which was such a powerful ending to this novel.
ReplyDeleteI feel like was hidden throughout the story, her real character never really shining through until she loses her baby.Pa building the flood bank and it being destroyed by a fallen tree and Rose of Sharon's birth to a stillborn baby both seemed like two more blows to deteriorate the family's hopes.Both events also had good effects, had it not been for the rising water the Joads would not have had to move on to higher ground where they found the starving man and if Sharon had not lost her baby then she would not have become selfless enough to help the man. The baby and Rose of Sharon's gift to the old man symbolize the Mother of Christ, Mary, when she sacrifizes her son. Rose of Sharon gives off the feel of self sacrifice when she offers herself in order to save the starving man. The chapter ends with a bright ray of hope as Rose of Sharon suckles the man to save his life. My reaction to the closing sequence was pretty strong, my eyes got watery and it grew hard to swallow. I felt this way because an act of good faith is just what the Joads needed to renew their hopes and continue on their journey.
ReplyDelete-AIMY ARELLANES (Not LaDuke you guys!)
I felt that in the last chapters when the joads are at their most destitute point Steinbeck includes unexpected hope. In the novel I see alot of biblical aspects that help convey the optimism in the seemingly hopeless situations. even though the rain is destructive it can also represent the renewal of life which connects to the story of Noah's ark. Even though the flooding was destroying everything the earth was able to heal itself without hindrance from destructive humans. In addition when uncle John floats the stillborn baby down the stream The story of Moses comes to mind. Moses was sent in a basket down the Nile to later deliver his people. This baby is a message that the people are suffering. but that the people are also enduring whatever circumstances may come. in addition Rose of Sharon holding the starving man in the barn reminds me of the Pietà . The figure of virgin Mary holding the dead Christ in her arms helps us envision the internal change Rose of Sharon goes through. She changed from a self-centered girl to a real mother. She is similar to the Virgin Mary because her baby was recently given up to help convey a larger message to the world. As the reader i was angry that the Joads had to endure all this suffering. After waiting Rose of Sharon was supposed to have the baby as a joy and reprieve in her life; a replacement of her husband, but in the end the baby's death adds to her pain. However I'm surprised at her selfless act towards the man. She was able to endure the pain after the birth, overcome any discomfort and give to this man from herself and possibly save him from starvation. Like Mary Rose of Sharon represents comfort and reprieve from suffering. Sharon was able to evolve and display the ultimate act of generosity and self-sacrifice which are the greatest virtues.
ReplyDeleteIn relation to your blog, i feel i shared the same comprehension. To me, this was the most significant event that happened towards the end of the chapter. The concept of having a new life went through my mind throughout the whole book when reading about the journey of the Joads. However, i felt hope and a rebirth in a better life when i read about Rose of Sharons character. I felt that she was going to be the way Steinbeck portrayed a new beginning. It all surprised me when she gave birth to a stillborn baby. Although, at the end of the book it described her feeding the old man. As with your idea that her actions towards the old man were a symbolism of hope and a new opportunity, I personal agree with you in the way that her feeding him is a way of showing that she's willing to help others even after the loss of her own baby. Which on the other hand, can be argued that Steinbeck did this to show the characterization of Rose of Sharon, which is strong.
ReplyDeleteAlex continued this discussion in his post.
ReplyDelete