IRONY in the Grapes of Wrath, Miscellaneous, College Term Papers.com


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IRONY in the Grapes of Wrath

IRONY in the Grapes of Wrath Many of the events in The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck do not result in the expected manner. Although the Joads seem to be traveling in hope, irony seems to conquer several situations. There are three types of irony: in dramatic irony, the reader sees the characters mistakes, but not the character. In verbal irony, the author means something rather than what is said. Irony of situation is when there is a paradox between the purpose of an action and its result. By observing several situations during the novel, such as the events of the Weedpatch Camp, the death of Casey, and Chapter 29, much irony can be distinguished. During the stay of the Joads in the Weedpatch Camp, there exist groups of people condemning others of sin. This includes Elizabeth Sandry and the Jesus-lovers. For example, Ms. Sandry speaks to Rose of Sharon about her baby as live tumor. Instead of congratulating the young woman of her child, the dysfunctional lady accuses the innocent girl of sin. In addition, Ms. Sandry explains that if evil continues, her baby will be a miscarriage like several other mothers. The words of the dark old woman are ironic to the situation because it is unusual for a person to curse a pregnant woman. Therefore, dramatic irony explains the words of misery instead of love. Furthermore, similar people called Jesus-lovers search for sin during the many dances of the Weedpatch Camp. These dances are supposed to be times of relaxation and fun. Instead the Jesus-lovers search for the opposite: “In front of the tents the Jesus-lovers sat and watched, their faces hard and contemptuous. They did not speak to one another, they watched for sin, and their faces condemned the proceeding.” (457) In other words, more dramatic irony can explain the doings of the watchful group. First, they search for evil in meaningless fun while filling guilt into the people of the camp. Also, the condemners just watch what occurs instead of making change. Therefore, it seems as though they are enjoying and willing to see “sin”. To sum up, they are guilty themselves, and it is ironic how the Jesus-lovers see hate instead of love. In all, irony remains as these people misunderstand situations of joy. The instance of Casey’s death in Chapter 26, the comparison of the Biblical allusion to Jesus’ death becomes ironic in situation. As Jim Casey waits in front of a tent of the labor organizers, a group of angry men approach with pick handles. Apparently, the men are outraged at the pay of the peach picking camp, for the price is not sufficient to support families with food. Filled with wrath, these 30 men club Casey in the head, killing him instantly. Beforehand, Casey speaks: “Casey stared blindly at the light. He breathed heavily. ‘Listen,’ he said. ‘You fellas don’ know what you’re doin’. You’re helpin’ to starve kids.’” (527) The irony of the situation is that Casey works to keep the pay up for the workers in the camp. Instead of attacking the cops, who are trying to keep the price down, the men beat the obvious labor organizers. This can allude to the bible how Jesus Christ worked for peace and change to the oppressed and unjust. Instead, he is crucified for his title and not his action. Therefore, this is similar for the preacher, and how his life ends without honor. In addition, Jesus Christ, as well as Jim Casey, explains to their killers that “they do not know what they are doing”. In conclusion, the positive acts of Casey result in his death. It is ironic how tragedy occurs to the good preacher. Irony of situation becomes a great obstacle, not only for the Joads, but for the suffering people of the depression. Therefore, it affects the 1st and 2nd levels of the novel. For example, although the pickers work in a field of peach trees, the families cannot depend on the endless supply of fruit. Instead, it even causes harm when Winfield eats too many peaches and leads him into a fit. This event alludes to the book of Genesis when Adam eats the forbidden fruit. Furthermore, it relates to the temptation of the obvious peach tree as to the evident forbidden fruit tree. Similarly, Ruthie once tempted Winfield to flush one of the toilets. Still, Ruthie blames her brother for the incident. On the same hand, Chapter 29 itself is irony of situation. Although many of the migrants were able to escape the dryness of the dust bowl, it becomes ironic how flood causes suffering in California. Moreover, the tragedy alludes to the Great Flood in the bible. Due to the sins of the nation and the monster, God seems to destroy creation as the Flood kills all guilty and innocent people: “And the rain pattered relentlessly down, and the streams broke their banks and spread out over the country… In the wet hay of leaking barns babies were born to women who panted with pneumonia. And old people curled up in corners and died that way… At night the frantic men walked boldly to hen roosts… if they were shot at, they did not run, but splashed sullenly away; and if they were hit, they sand tiredly in the mud.” (592) Steinbeck the scientist is able to implement to the readers the suffering and destruction of the rain. Irony in the Grapes of Wrath, by John Steinbeck, is presented in the unexpected events of the migrants. Even though the Joads seem to reach their destination, it is ironic how the depression continues in the promised land of California. Although happiness and goodness is sought, the opposite exists among the peoples, whether it is Elizabeth Sandry, the Jesus-lovers, or a destructive rainstorm. In the case of the storm, it is verbally ironic in the bible how God promises to never destroy His creation ever again. Yet, Steinbeck probably has his own reasons for revealing the connotation of this second flood. Bibliography: The Grapes of Wrath by: John Steinbeck Penguin Books USA inc. 1992.

Word Count: 1006