exploration 8

1. Throughout the book, many parallels can be drawn between the fictional Joads and real life America at in the 1930s.  Thus, I interpreted the end of this book as hope for America.  Rose of Sharon and Ma's final act were acts of sacrifice and kindness that helped others.  The important theme here is that the only way to get through the tough times is to work together.  It is worth noting that during the whole book, the Joads had been focused on themselves and how they were going to survive, however despite the lowest time of the family in the story, they helped take care of someone else.  This event leaves the reader with a feeling of conviction.  Steinbeck does a good job of wanting the reader to feel what the Joads had started to understand.  It seems that Rose of Sharon's "mysterious" smile at the end is due to the beginning of realization.  Realization that this life is pointless when we only are concerned with ourselves, and helping people is what it is all about.  That was what Steinbeck was really trying to convey through this novel, and this beautiful conclusion was the icing on the cake.
2.  To continue off the last prompt, it seems that the Joads had started to grasp an understanding that helping people is the way of fulfillment.  So this will be the future for the Joads.  They will obviously still have to take care of themselves, however they will no longer be exclusively looking out for themselves.  It seems that Tom is not the only Joad that will follow in Casy's footsteps and live a life committed to service.  When the Joads' face challenges they will no longer be takers, but givers just like they were in the barn.  I cannot say for sure what they will do as far as work. But knowing how history plays out and how America eventually got out of the depression, makes me think they would take odd jobs until World War 2 begins.  I would assume the Joads would go back to the farm, being that's all they really know, if they are able to make it that far.  Whatever they do though, I can be certain that they are stronger than they were before the Dust Bowl.