So the ending of The Grapes of Wrath left me mostly speechless, and not in a good way. The end was hard to wrap my head around. I understand that Rose of Sharon and Ma decided to nurse the man in order to save the mans life, but did he have to actually nurse from her breast? Was there no cup, or can handy to collect the breast milk? It leaves me with a really creepy feeling, which is why I think this book should actually be titled The Creepiness of Rose of Sharon. I think that better describes most of the book, because all she did is get creepier and creepier as time progressed. The fact that Steinbeck decided to end the book with "And her lips came together and smiled mysteriously" (Steinbeck 619), just helps show how creepy she is with no explanation why. This is merely my opinion.
I do feel however the future for the Joads will be a positive one, for the most part. They are a very strong and very adaptable group. Throughout the book it has shown that they are able to rise above any situation. I will add I don't think that Tom's story will end pleasantly. I think Tom would end up martyring himself in his attempt to change things, but the rest of the family would adapt.
End was definitely a little weird...It seems real dramatic and sweet if you picture the end like a movie, but if it were happening in reality I think it would be super uncomfortable. I like the honesty though. I agree that the Joads should adapt well too.
ReplyDeleteYes, the ending was weird, but she was helping a starving man! but I also see a positive future for the Joads.
ReplyDeleteI do agree that this chapter was a bit creepy when Rose of Sharon saved a man by breastfeeding him, but then again she did it to save his life which I thought was a great thing to do even though she did lose her baby.
ReplyDeleteI understand it was weird but I definitely don't think this overrode every of event in the entire story and the title should be changed, I try to think of that scene as if you are in the scenario that this man is on the verge of death and they don't have time to find a cup and milk her like a cow
ReplyDeleteI agree, Rose of Sharron's act at the end of the novel was very creepy. Also I do feel the outlook for the Joads is positive. Just like you said, they are all very strong and adaptable. Tom's story ended pretty suddenly I think. he went from being the main character of the novel to being cast away in a matter of a few pages. I was very confused by that.
ReplyDeleteYour title seems a lot better than what I made and nothing will convince me about how the mysterious smile can be turned into a positive ending. I agree that in a way the Joads are a very adaptable group but the group will result in becoming smaller and smaller.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your point of view. I thought the ending of the book was completely different than i expected it to be. I didn't think this made it a bad ending, because it caught me off Gard.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that it's a very strange ending. I think Steinbeck was trying to tie her stillborn in with this man somehow. How? I have no clue. He definitely took it the creepy route but desperate times, call for desperate measures.
ReplyDeleteI disagree with your views on Rose of Sharon. the book she was daydreaming about what life will be like in the future. I think she was hiding from the present and was always kind of dragged along by the family. In the end, she loses her husband and then miscarries her child. This was a bug reality check for her. By breast feeding the dying man, she has proved that she is now in the present. She is being a mother of sorts
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