Chapter 11

The conflict between nature vs man is much overseen. In nature there is a sense of life and the warmth of life, but when there is a tractor there is a smell of death and ore in the air. Due to the land a certain stranger has no correlation to land opposed to someone who has lived there their whole life causing them to feel a sense of need towards their "rightful" land. In paragraphs 2-6 Steinbeck is contrasting the perspectives of a landowner and tractor driver as in which they view a certain land. The theme created by this chapter is a sense of decay and betrayal which stands over a farmers land. So, is this nature vs man or man vs the bank?

Chapter 3

"The CONCRETE HIGHWAY was edged with a mat of tangled, broken, dry grass, and the grass heads were heavy with oat beards to catch on a dogs coat". The description of the setting is metaphorical because it explains how the grass around the highway is dry( which will be seen with the mouths of the Joads who are in need of water) and how everything is tangled. Steinbeck is using the turtle as a possible future character who will be thrown alongside and learn how to survive on their own. Who do you believe the turtle will symbolize as of being most likely thrown thrown out.

Chapter 6

The Joad family is willing to move to California, but aren't not happy with losing their land causing a much more bitter temptation towards a new life in the west(California). Since many families are moving to California there will conflicts such as: overpopulation, high competition(business wise), and  lower wages which were seen during the 1st Industrial Revolution. Tom faces the irony that many other families are moving west and are  having the same temptations and goals  in California  as of Tom and  the Joads. Will the Joads make it in the West or will they face the same problems all other families will face socially and economically?

Chapter 8

This chapter's introduction of Uncle John reveals him to be a person who prefers isolation, but is quick to make sure others are well off. His paranoia for others is surely attributed to the passing of his wife and the circumstance of her passing. I feel that it will be interesting to witness Uncle John's transition from a life of isolation to a life which will force him to interact with others. The result of this change will undoubtedly put him in a position where the well-being of the others will be directly affected by the choices he makes. Will his paranoia constantly cause havoc within his subconscious, or will he overcome it and become a new person?

Chapter 1

" A gentle wind followed the rain clouds, driving them on northward, a wind that softly clashed the drying corn. A day went by and the wind increased, steady, unbroken by gusts. The dust from the roads fluffed and spread out and fell on the weeds beside the fields, and fell into the fields a little way" 

John Steinbeck is an exemplary author; in this chapter I felt like I was there. He explained very well what the scenery looked like, how it felt, and how the character's viewed the situation. I can't wait to read the rest of the book. 

Welcome English Honors 5 + Tips!

Hello current students taking English Honors 5, I am a former student of Mrs. Ross' English class. I thought I'd pass down some of my past experiences and knowledge to you guys. Here are some helpful tips about assignment you've all been given this summer. 

1.)  Don't wait until last minute to read Steinbeck's novel Grapes of Wrath. Try reading a chapter a day instead of procrastinating. If you're traveling somewhere, try bringing the book along with you and read it on the plane or car. If you wait until the last few days of break to start reading the book, you will regret it.

2.) Take well detailed notes. You are going to be tested on the novel the first week you return from break, and taking notes will help you prepare. Also if you find a quote you like, write it down along with the page number (trust me on this one). Plus you are graded on how well your journal is written. Remember these are your first two grades of the block, so if you want to start off the class on a good note I recommend doing so.

3.) Check the blog often. You won't only blog over summer, you'll also be blogging all throughout the block. Making posts will be apart of your grade. I remember my class only made posts, we hardly commented on other students' blog posts, which I recommend you not to do. Comment on your peers posts, ask them questions agree or disagree with their statements -- start a conversation in the comment section.

These are just some on the tips I have for you guys. If you want any more advice leave a comment below or find me in the courtyard during lunch.

       

Welcome to Honors English 5!

The discussions that follow will be based on John Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath. Feel free to look in the archives at previous discussions of this book. Remember to learn from one another and to challenge one another.