The Grapes of Wrath

Final Project

The assignment is written, typed, double-spaced, and three pages in length. It is due by Jan 7, but you may email it to me during break if you'd like. Please stick as close as you can to page requirements.

Note: “I” may not be useful to the Joads, but it’s perfectly acceptable in these essays. Be aware that these are personal response essays but they reflect your experience with The Grapes of Wrath and, as such, should include significant textual support. J

Section 1 (two pages):

What did you struggle with in this novel? What ideas and concepts were hard to digest? This is not a question relating to how long it took you to read, how many words you had to look up, how many chapters you ended up skimming (hey, I’m not stupid) or even if you liked or disliked the book. It should be related to the concepts present in the Joad chapters as well as interchapters such as I/We, the growing of wrath, the historical information, even self-contained chapters like the truck stop, the turtle, and the used cars. It should be related to the book’s structure and how these interchapters connect to the events that happen to the Joads. And it should be about your own reaction to these events. What is the role of family here? Government? Religion? Allow yourself to sift through ideas; be organized but remember that this is not an analytical essay.

Section 2 (one page):

Did this novel affect the way you think about your own connection to humankind? Did you see any connections to your own lives in any way or is this book too much of a history-bound text to cause any real affective reaction? Did you gain any personal insight or epiphany in the course of studying this book? If so, what was it? If not, why not? (Here is where you can explore your reasons for not relating to this book, if that is the case: it is trite, it is too complex, it is too dated, its ending is too gross, “there’s a whole chapter about a stupid turtle,” etc.) Be specific with examples from the book.

Rubric for grading:

Section 1:

a. a. displays thoughtful analysis of a complex issue or issues facing the Okies in the book

b. b. shows how the student overcame difficulties to understand these complex issues

c. c. uses well-selected references from the book correctly with clear understanding

d. d. displays knowledge of a deeper meaning of the book as a whole

Section 2:

a. a. displays knowledge and insight of the deeper meaning of the book as a whole

b. b. shows a personal relationship to the meaning of the book (or a lack of a personal relationship to it)

Overall Considerations:

a. a. The rules of grammar and writing mechanics apply.

b. b. Edit and proofread your work!

c. c. Personal voice is always appreciated but not at the cost of sloppy writing.

J