I’m super curious, what do you guys make of the very ending of the Grapes of Wrath when >!Rose of Sharon (Rosasharn) breastfeeds the Starving Man!< in the barn? Her “mysterious smile” that she gives? (They cut this from the movie for some reason but not the play)
I think it works on two levels: one, a super pragmatic reasoning, that her breastmilk would go to waste otherwise and at least feeding the Starving Man would help. It’s better than nothing. The other ties into Steinbeck’s message that humans are all one group at the end of the day and things like race, class, gender, etc. are rendered meaningless when desperation happens and we need to help one another in dire times. Rose gives part of herself to a complete stranger (which also calls to mind imagery of the Virgin Mary).
I also think it happens because these two are at their lowest point in the book/play. The Starving Man has been reduced back to that of a helpless infant, in a way. Much like when people crawl into the fetal position, or they cry out for their mothers when they’re in danger, it sort of works on a very primal level as well. And Rose, having >!lost her baby in the scene right before this one!< is sick and grieving, I think this sort of helps her with her grief as well.
What do you guys think? I don’t know what to make of the “mysterious” smile she gives.
There’s a hundred different conclusions you could draw. My first thought about her smiling about it was that she was seeing how Ma got the strength she has, after everything Rose of Sharon had been through she could still give to others.
But Steinbeck wrote that book to have layers and layers. You could go on thinking about it for long while, I know I have.
There is so much in the book about humans and human nature. Also although it is about America in the 1030’s there are so many similarities to America today
I absolutely loved this ending. It was so impactful to me that the Joads were still able to give to others when they had literally nothing to give. I can’t think of a lesser thing they could have given than that but they still did give it, and it was the perfect ending to all of their kindness throughout the book. Like Ma said, if there’s one thing to be learned, it’s that if you ever need help- go to poor people. They’re the only ones that will help. I really struggle to describe books to others after I read them even if I did understand them but Steinbeck’s message stuck with me so much I could give a summary of the book months later.
Agree. I can summarize from my first reading 60 years ago. The book is so powerful but I’m sure having seen the movie a few times I’ve probably intertwined them.
Well said…I agree with your thoughts. I am also surprised ( and glad) that people still read that book. When people ask everyone for their favorite book this is mine. I get emotional when people do good things for people. Steinbeck has some in everyone of his books. When I tell people about the scene in the diner I tear up. “What’s it to ya”.