Grapes Of Wrath Turtle Symbol Analysis

Symbolism In The Grapes of Wrath, Steinbeck supports his theme by using excellent symbolization. Steinbeck’s symbolism is one of the main literary elements that supports the theme of oppressed people working together to better everyone. There are many symbols that Steinbeck uses but there are three main ones that really support the theme. One of the first symbols Steinbeck uses is a turtle. Steinbeck uses the turtle to symbolize the migrants families, the struggles they will face, and their determination. Along the road, there is a turtle trying to cross the road. The turtle’s journey is tough, but he keeps on moving just like the migrant farmers keep on going. “As the embankment grew steeper and steeper, the more frantic were the efforts of the land turtle” (Steinbeck 21). When the turtle reaches challenging parts in his journey, like the
The dog and its death symbolize all of the hardships that the Joads will have to face in order to get to California and survive there. When the Joads stopped at the gas station for gas and water, their dog was hit by a car. The gas station attendant says “‘A dog jus’ don’ last no time near a highway’” (Steinbeck 177). Their dog dying is the first of many hardships that the Joads will face on their journey. Their dog’s death symbolizes the type of life that the Joads are going to be going toward. There life in California is not easy by any means. There is going to be sadness, and this is only the first death that the Joads face. The Joads do not realize though, what kind of life they are going to be entering. “‘D’you think it’ll hurt?’” (177). The Joads don’t know yet that their new life will hurt. Through these hardships though, it causes the Joads to become close as a family so they can endure the hardships. Together as a family, these sort of things still hurt, but holding fast to family is what will eventually help get the Joads adjust to their new