Grapes of Greatness - Literature Essay Samples

Historians have noted that works of literature often adopt the mood of the times in which they were written. It is thus not surprising that The Grapes of Wrath, written by John Steinbeck in the desperate nadir of the Great Depression, appears to be a novel of righteous anger and ably communicates the gloomy depths of human sorrow. However, Steinbeck has also interlaced the storyline with threads of cautious optimism and subtle hope. The Grapes of Wrath is not only an expression of the struggle of the dispossessed Okies and Arkies in California, but also a testament to the power and resilience of the human spirit everywhere. To accomplish this goal, Steinbeck imbues the most depressing objects with an aura of optimism, uplifts the utmost tragedies with the greatest results, and has the worst events reveal the greatest character traits.Steinbecks hopeful symbolism is apparent early on in the novel before the reader has even been introduced to all the main characters. The author describ es a concrete highway that 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. (19) This jungle by the highway represents the confusion that has enmeshed the nation. In this context, an otherwise pitiful turtle becomes an optimistic symbol, as it embodies the ability of humans to struggle on against adversity. It is able to deflect the barley beards and clover burrs just like people brush aside their fears. It crawls up the steep embankment even though for every two feet it covers it slips back one. When a red ant crawls onto its skin, it defends itself by retreating into its shell just as people seek protection in difficult times. Finally, when the turtle is almost crushed by the truck, it is unfazed and continues to crawl in the dust. Steinbecks message is that although the human spirit can be battered and threatened, it will keep striving toward a distant goal beyond the horizon. This concept is reiterated ag ain toward the end of the novel when Uncle John is given the task of burying Rose of Sharons stillborn baby. As he sets the babys makeshift coffin afloat in the river, he says, Go on down now, an lay in the street. Maybe theyll know then. (572) These words transform the dead fetus from a rotting piece of flesh into a powerful object that has the potential to provoke change. People, upon seeing such a ghastly sight, will be motivated to band together and fight against the evil forces that have indirectly nipped a young life in its bud. That Steinbeck chooses to allude to these results instead of simply making the dead baby into another example of premature death caused by the Depression is significant. It confirms his firm belief in the staunch stance of the great we against an often hostile, inimical world.The disastrous events in The Grapes of Wrath serve not only to bring a tear to the readers eye, but also to demonstrate that in the darkest of times there will be a shaft of hope. For example, Granma dies shortly after the Joads settle down to camp with Ivy and Sairy Wilson. Though Granmas death represents a great loss to the family, her death also brings the Joads and Wilsons into a close relationship that results from the common experience of tragedy. The alliance allows for mutual supportphysically because the Wilsons help carry the load on the Joads truck and spiritually because the two families provide each other with needed support and comfort. Another gloomy circumstance with ultimately beneficial consequences is the burning of the Hooverville that the Joads enter when they first arrive in California. The depressing situation is alleviated when the Joads find their way into a government camp that gives them a degree of voice and respect they have never before been accorded. Ma opines, An now I aint ashamed. These folks is our folks. (395) When the Joads jump out of the figurative frying pan, they find not the fire that burned down the Hooverville but the cool relaxation of running water and flushable toilets. Later on in the story, the loss of another family member, Tom Joad, strikes the family. However, Toms parting words are not full of sadness but determination and hope: Ill be everwherewherever you look. Wherever theys a fight so hungry people can eat, Ill be there. (537) Tom affirms that although he will lose the company of his family, he will gain honor, self-respect and a sense of direction from joining a righteous fight. Likewise, Ma comes to accept that the loss of her son is necessary for the world to gain another fighter for the liberation of the Dust Bowl migrants from the business interests. The author again demonstrates the power of the human drive to fight injustice.The optimism in The Grapes of Wrath is not restricted to symbols and positive consequencesthe worst events also cause personal transformations for the better in people. For instance, Mae, the middle-aged hamburger stand manager, must deal with the dust y and sweaty Dust Bowl migrants who arrive in an overburdened car and offer a dime for fifteen-cent bread. Initially, Maes frugality makes her reluctant to sell the hungry travelers food at a loss. Then Mae realizes the plight of the man and his boys and her maternal instincts and kindness manifest themselves as she sells the fifteen-cent bread and two pieces of nickel candy for eleven cents. Because Steinbeck portrays Maes rising to help another human being in need, he emphasizes the power of human spirit to effect changes no matter how small they may be. This sentiment is confirmed by the silent approval of the truck drivers, who leave Mae fifty-cent tips. A main character to undergo transformation is Jim Casy, who decides to sacrifice his own liberty and go to jail to protect Tom from the consequences of his tripping the sheriffs deputy. Casy explains: Somebody got to take the blame. I got no kids. Theyll jus put me in jail, an I aint doin nothin but set aroun. (342) Casys selfle ss sacrifice again highlights the ability of people to rise to any challenge. Finally, Rose of Sharon sheds her persona of crankiness and worry over her pregnancy when she agrees to use her breast milk to feed a dying old man. This act of generosity transforms her into a truly mature woman whose capacity for giving is far beyond what one could expect of her at her age. That Steinbeck chooses to end the novel on a scene that delineates the hardiness of the human spirit is no coincidence.By demonstrating through symbols, events, and characters that genuine good will prevail over evil and seeming hopelessness, Steinbeck uplifts the novel from simply being a tale of anguish to a story with a strident message of hope and confidence in the human spirit. Thus this tale is not only another perspective on the gloomy depths of the Great Depression but a timeless testament to the ability of people of overcome hardship and take on any challenge. It is often noted that respected and eminent peop le often have difficult childhoods, for greatness comes from tragedy. Likewise, America emerged from the Depression ready to assume its role as a world leader championing democracy and human rights. The more fermented the grapes of wrath are by the accumulation of anguish and despair, the finer the wine produced.

The Stereotypical Reality Of Television - 1624 Words

The Stereotypical Reality in TV Although television can sometimes be educational, it is often agreed that reality TV creates dangerous stereotypes. These days, it seems like producers are willing to turn almost anything into a an hour long weekly series. Another growing concern that may indirectly promote stereotypes is the issue of privacy in reality TV. It is said that â€Å"participants in reality shows have openly admitted that giving the public access to the most personal moments of their lives is nothing short of a daily battle† (Smith). Reality TV has been around for a long time. Shows that portrayed people in unscripted situations began in the late 1940s. â€Å"Queen for a Day† was an early example of reality-based television. In the 40s and 50s reality television caught people s eye. In the early 60s the first reality TV show in the United Kingdom was aired. With time reality TV has evolved and has even developed various subgenres. There are eight sub genres th at are commonly known as: gamedocs, dating programs, makeover programs, docusoaps, talent contests, court programs, reality sitcoms, and celebrity variations of other programs. The big controversy is whether these stereotypes exist or not. When this popular new trend first started out, many stereotypes were not existent but as time went on, many developed, especially in the 2000s. Overall, reality TV shows promote dangerous stereotypes. To begin, multiple shows promote different stereotypes. Shows like teen mom,Show MoreRelatedThe Representation of African Americans in the Media and Popular Culture901 Words   |  4 PagesIntroduction In popular culture, specifically American television, representations of African Americans often rely upon an array of stereotypes. Representation is the production of meaning through language or signifying systems. 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The primary component that distinguishes reality-based programs from similar forms of entertainment including traditionalRead MoreAfrican American Stereotypes Reality Television1531 Words   |  7 PagesReality programs have dominated television networks since their rise in popularity began in the early 1990s with MTV’s The Real World. The reality genre quickly gained viewership as it redefined the formulaic set up of televisions shows from the past. Reality television has infiltrated television because networks prefer low budgets for their programs that also generate high ratings (Hasinoff, 2008). People watch reality shows because they are intrigued by the seemingly â€Å"real† drama with ordinaryRead MoreEssay The Importance of Gender in Buffy, The Vampire Slayer1485 Words   |  6 Pagesyet up until a certain period in time, the same stereotypical characters were portrayed and used as role models for others in most media. Women characters being the helpless victims, while the strong men would come to save them (inc luding television shows such as Miami Vice or Three’s Company). Today there is a whole slew of shows and movies, which are redefining and re-categorizing the stereotypical language in relation to gender. One such television series is Buffy, The Vampire Slayer (starring SarahRead MoreThe Sopranos Essay515 Words   |  3 PagesThe Sopranos The media and specifically television portray Italian Americans as criminals or people of power in the illegal world. Television portrays their ethnicity on a stereotypical background that most people have come to know as truth. There is a show on cable called the Sopranos. This show is a depiction of the New Jersey mafia and how it handles its day to day operations. 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Women characters being the helpless victims, while the strong men would come to save them (including television shows such as Miami Vice or Threes Company). Today there is a whole slew of shows and movies, which are redefining and re-categorizing the stereotypical language in relation to gender. One such television series is Buffy, The Vampire Slayer (starringRead MoreAnalysis Of The Movie Saved By The Bell 1102 Words   |  5 Pagesan exposition concentrating on the absurd tendencies of the hit television sitcom’s producers. The main idea of his essay, â€Å"Being Zack Morris,† is to depict how even though television is not always realistic, neither is reality (147). Klosterman is able to convey the message of an alternate reality within the television show, Saved By the Bell, to juxtapose how reality itself is unrealistic; he does this by associating the television show with not only the idea of postmodernism, but also the connectionsRead MoreThe Reality Of Reality Television882 Words   |  4 Pages What is it about these reality shows such as: Keeping Up with the Kardashians, Bad Girls Club, and The Real Housewives that we cannot stop watching? After watching reality shows like this, it leaves people craving the next episode of the next week. Reality television producers are exploiting people by giving the public a â€Å"sense† of reality but not the real version of it, but rather exploit people and use stereotypes to make money for entertainment. The specific points of this argumentRead MoreReality Tv : Should We Really Watch?1194 Words   |  5 Pagesarticle Reality TV: Should We Really Watch? Elizabeth Larkins argues with the integrity of the genre of reality TV shows. She describes how watching one’s embarrassment or pain on TV and finding it humorous is wrong morally and mentally. Larkins describes how reality TV a ll began with one of the oldest reality shows â€Å"Candid Camera.† This show would broadcast hidden cameras of people in embarrassing or painful situations. It was a huge success, which ultimately started the popularity of the reality genre

Industrial Hygiene Is A Science And Art - 1939 Words

Introduction The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) estimates that 30 million workers in the United States are exposed to hazardous noise every single work day. (â€Å"Occupational Noise Exposure†, 2016). According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)/USA report in 1981, there are more than nine million Americans exposed to a daily average occupational noise level above 85 dB(A); this number has increased to about 30 million in 1990. Why is this happening and what can we do as safety professionals to put a stop to this? As I focus more on the industrial hygiene aspect of this paper, I want to make it known that industrial hygiene is a science and art devoted to the anticipation, recognition, evaluation, prevention, and control of those environmental factors or stresses arising in or from the workplace. Noise and vibration are both fluctuations in the pressure of air (or other media) which affect the human body on many different levels. We use the term noise to indicate unwanted sound that tends to be harmful. The Occupational Noise Exposure standard is designed to protect general industry employees, such as those working in the manufacturing, utilities, and service sectors. It does not cover the construction or the oil and gas well drilling and servicing industries. (1910.95) There are numerous elements that are critical to understand in order to ensure that workers are being protected where noise levels are unable to be reduced below theShow MoreRelatedOccupational Medicine And Occupational Health1571 Words   |  7 Pagesoccupational medicine, industrial hygiene is generally defined as the art and science dedicated to the anticipation, recognition, evaluation, communication and control of environmental stressors in, or arising from, the workplace that may result in injury, illness, impairment, or affect the well-being of workers as well as members of the community. This area focuses on the identification and contr ol of occupational health hazards arising as a result of, or during, work. Industrial hygiene discovers whatRead MoreEssay on Management Theories1263 Words   |  6 PagesAfter the end of the Industrial Revolution, large corporations were beginning to grow in size and power in order to satisfy what seemed the endless demands for new goods and services. As corporations and labor forces grew, there was a need to develop a more systematic study of organization and management, known as management theory, the significant being Frederick Taylors Principles of Scientific Management which involved the development of training workers through special incentives and compensationRead MoreManagement Theories1287 Words   |  6 PagesAfter the end of the Industrial Revolution, large corporations were beginning to grow in size and power in order to satisfy what seemed the endless demands for new goods and services. 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I would like to introduce unique hometown in my heart-Jining. Jining, located in the southwest of Shandong, China, is one of the key industrial cites of the province. It governs two districts, three cities and seven counties, namely, Shizhong District, Rencheng District, Qufu, Yanzhou, Zoucheng, Weishan County, Yutai County, Jinxiang County, Jiaxiang County, Weishan County, Sishui CountyRead MoreThe National Association For The Education Of Young Children Essay1140 Words   |  5 Pagesbetter through activity. His hands-on concept of learning at young ages has continued to be used in modern day preschools (Silber, n.d.). Preschool establishments in America were created to provide care for toddlers of working parents during the Industrial Revolution (Lipoff, 2011). In 1965 President Lyndon B. Johnson worked with a veteran politician, Sargent Shriver, to develop the Head Start program (Biography, 2014). 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I’Ve Had1392 Words   |  6 Pagesor medical phenomena. It may require knowledge of photography and interest in science. These professionals may work in several different industries and environments. Careful planning may be involved to make sure they get the correct shot and just the right time. Scientific photographers may have to work odd hours and travel in order to get the photos they need. 4. Fine arts Photographer- This work is done by fine arts Photographer which are creative and innovative. They aim to evoke certain moods

The Pressures of Being a Teenager in Todays Society free essay sample

The Pressures of being a teenager in today’s society Jennifer: head cheerleader, and captain of the football team’s girlfriend. She has perfect hair, perfect skin, and there is no possible way to deny her beauty. I try to tell myself that on the inside she is ugly. I know I’m simply jealous, but I cannot help but detest her. She has everything. As for myself, I have nothing compared to her. I don’t understand why I feel sorry for myself. I spend all my time wishing I was someone else. I’ve always been extremely insecure throughout my life, and it has lead to depression. It runs in my family. My mother had terrible problems ith it. I remember her doctor constantly changing her medication in the hopes of finding the cure that would work for her. â€Å"Melissa? Melissa? Are you even paying attention? † My teacher demanded. We will write a custom essay sample on The Pressures of Being a Teenager in Todays Society or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page â€Å"Yes miss. † I replied, although, I was drifting off into space. Today our lecture was about the many pressures of being a teenager in society today. All this talk about being in or out made me think of the social changes now occurring in the educational system. I then remembered a conversation I had with my guidance counsellor. I was feeling lonely and rejected, and this teacher told me that other kids, even the popular nes, also felt as miserable as I was at times. Of course, I didn’t believe him. How could all those girls, all those girls who had everything be unhappy? I would most definitely be happy with all those cute clothes and better yet, cute boys. I would never be miserable if I could change places with one of them. After school that day, I went home, did my homework, watched some television, had supper, and went to flip through magazines, the usual. I wondered how all those girls were so thin. How did they manage to stay on such strict diets? I envied them. That night before bed, I looked myself in the mirror, and broke into choked sobs. I try to keep it together, but I cannot. I barely slept. The same question repeated itself over and over in my head†¦ How could any one person be so ugly, and so fat. It was plain disgusting so to speak. The next day I noticed an advertisement on the front of one of my magazines. It was an add about a modeling agency coming to my hometown holding auditions. The entire week I debated attending the audition. I was aware that I would be out of my league completely compared to all the pretty girls in my town. I was also aware of the possibility of getting laughed at. A lost puppy, they’d say. No I couldn’t go. I would make a complete fool out of myself. Of course that was the norm for me, and I began to ask myself what was there to lose? My dignity, perhaps. It was Friday and my day went on as usual. I woke up, washed my face, got dressed, went to school, and finally the last bell rang. The hallways were scattered with girls chattering excitedly about the modeling auditions. I simply ignored them and headed towards my bus. But then something hit me. Why not? Why not go to the audition? So I went, not taking in anymore thought. When I arrived I was completely right about the environment surrounding me. The prettiest girls in town were there, already laughing at me. Exclusion hurts. Discrimination and rejection are painful at any age. The line up seemed never ending. It took almost two hours to get in and audition. The auditors asked me various questions such as: Are you healthy? What does modeling mean to you? And so forth. They asked me about my weight, and if I had participated in any fitness programs. At the end of the audition they suggested toning up, loosing some weight, and would call in a few days if I made it onto the next stage. I knew exactly what that meant. â€Å"Sorry but your too fat to be a model, thanks for trying out and iving us a good laugh. † I went home that night, and decided to take in what they said as constructive criticism. I decided that I was going to do something about my weight. I was sick and tired of being fat and frumpy. I made a schedule for myself in order to balance school, work, and exercise. If they called, that would be great and if th ey didn’t, well I was doing this for me. I scaled in at 184 pounds today. My goal is to weigh 130 at the end of this little experiment. In just one month alone, I managed to loose twenty pounds. I was feeling great. This was an incredible accomplishment for me. I wasn’t satisfied ust yet, and I had some more pounds to lose until I reached my goal. It almost seemed too easy. I wanted to lose more. Skinny obsession here I come. I believed that my hopes of becoming a model were officially over. It was a little over a month later when the phone rang, and my mom called me from upstairs. â€Å"Melissa dear, a modeling agency is on the phone for you? Do you know what this is about? † â€Å"Yes mom, I’ll take it, I’ll explain later. † I replied. Apparently I was what the model agency was looking for. Who would have guessed? They asked if I took their advice, and when they saw me they thought I was the erfect candidate. Although they had strict rules about dieting, they didn’t want any of the girls to have eating disorders and whatnot. They were aiming for healthy looking girls who could be role models for young adolescents. My first day for casting was the next night. I was so excited and I stayed up all ni ght debating what to wear. I needed something hip and in, but also sophisticated. This way they would know I was taking this industry seriously. When I got there it was everything I expected: lighting, wardrobes, and the photographers. It was incredible, and I was finally going to be apart of it. The following week at school, my fellow students were beginning to take notice of me. â€Å"Hello, how are you today Melissa† They politely greeted me. Or asked me. â€Å"Did you loose weight? You look great! † Emily Baldwin the most popular girl in the entire school, asked me to sit with her at lunch. Obviously, I took her up on that offer. After seventeen years of my life, people were finally noticing me, and I loved it. I finally had a group to sit with at lunch, people acknowledged me in the hallways, and I was popular. Hallelujah. However, being in the â€Å"in† group was beginning to get to me. My teachers were oncerned about my grades, and I was falling asleep in class. I had no energy. I know I sometimes took it too far with my dieting and exercise, but it was an addiction. I could not get enough of this â€Å"in† fix. For most overweight girls, it is hard to stick with a diet, but it was almost natural for me. I wanted to fit in so bad that I woul d risk anything to get it. I barely noticed the pains in my stomach from hunger. The model agency called today, they told me I was taking the dieting too seriously, and if I didn’t gain some more weight I would be removed from the industry. I didn’t even care. It didn’t dawn on me at all. I was thin, and popular. I no longer cared about being a model. I wanted to be noticed, and I was. Maybe even more so than I imagined. Eventually everything went back downhill. My one teacher called home. I failed to hand in my assignment. My parents were not only furious but concerned. This wasn’t like their little Melissa. Then my parents were beginning to really worry. I was eating less and less each day. To top it all off, I passed out in the bathroom the one day. My friend Jennifer even told my mom and dad I was skipping lunch and taking excessive pills to stay skinny. Once my parents were informed of this it was off to the doctors for me. Seeing the doctor didn’t really help me. I was cooperative and agreed with everything the doctor told me to satisfy him. When I arrived back home I followed the same eating habits as before. That night my mom came into my room, with a late night snack, so we could talk about everything that just happened. I told her I wasn’t hungry and that didn’t fly so well with her. It is now three months later and I am sitting in a hospital bed. I’m being fed from tubes. I couldn’t be fed me solid foods because my stomach has shrank so much over the ast year, and I can’t keep it down. I guess I took this dieting thing way too far. Apparently I have a disease called anorexia. Waking up in this hospital bed everyday for the past two weeks has made me realize that my extreme dieting was dangerous, stupid, and also hurt the people around me. I am now paying the consequence of such actions. My guidance counsellor explained to me that everyone feels like an outsider. Everyone has moments of loneliness. Everyone worries whether she or he fits in, or whether he or she is odd. â€Å"In† and â€Å"out† are simply illusions. Instead of looking for â€Å"in† nd â€Å"out†, we should try to see ourselves as we are. We are all different. Yet we are all the same. I wish this would have been clear to me a year ago before anorexia took over my life. At the same time however, I would say it was all worth it. Call me crazy, but everything happens for a reason. I know what it is like to be an outcast, popular, over weight and underweight. You are still the same person on the inside, whatever that might be. This experience has been the best and wo rst thing to ever happen to me. All my questions have relevant and simple answers. Be yourself. Life is way too short to be living someone else’s life.