Teaching Students About Grapes Of Wrath Ending
![](https://dev.theedadvocate.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/3d-world-news-background-loop-free-video-5-660x400.jpg)
The Grapes of Wrath is a classic novel by John Steinbeck that tells the story of the Joad family, who leave their Oklahoma farm during the Great Depression to search for work in California. The novel is a powerful commentary on the social and economic issues of the time, and its ending is particularly noteworthy for the way it expresses Steinbeck’s views about the struggle of the common people.
Teaching students about the ending of The Grapes of Wrath can be a valuable experience that helps them understand the relevance of the novel to their own lives and the issues that are still present in society today. Here are some tips for helping students engage with the ending of the novel:
Discuss the symbolism of the final scene.
The novel ends with the Joad family taking shelter from a rainstorm in an old barn, where they find a starving man and his son. Ma Joad, the matriarch of the family, insists that they share their food with the strangers. The final image of the novel is of Rose of Sharon, the pregnant daughter-in-law, offering her milk to the starving man’s son.
This scene is rich with symbolism that can be explored with students. For example, the barn can represent the makeshift homes that many people had to live in during the Depression, while the rainstorm symbolizes the hardships that the poor faced. The act of sharing food can be seen as a metaphor for the need for solidarity among the working class, and Rose of Sharon’s milk can represent the hope for new life and a better future.
Ask students to reflect on the themes of the novel.
The Grapes of Wrath has many themes that are relevant today, including the struggle for social justice, the exploitation of workers, and the importance of community and solidarity. After reading the novel, ask students to reflect on these themes and consider how they relate to their own lives and surroundings. For example, they could discuss the economic inequality in their own community, or the impact of globalization on workers.
Have students research the historical context of the novel.
The Grapes of Wrath was written during the Great Depression, a time of widespread poverty and unemployment in the United States. As part of their study of the novel, students can research this historical context and learn more about the social and economic conditions that Steinbeck was writing about. They could look at primary sources such as letters, photographs, or newspapers from the time, or research the policies and programs that were put in place to address the crisis.
Connect the novel to current events.
Although The Grapes of Wrath was written over 80 years ago, it still has relevance today. By connecting the novel to current events and issues, students can see that many of the social and economic problems that Steinbeck wrote about are still present today. For example, they could discuss the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on workers and the economy, or the ongoing struggles for racial and economic justice in the United States.
In conclusion, teaching students about the ending of The Grapes of Wrath can be a powerful way to help them engage with the novel’s themes and message. By exploring the symbolism of the final scene, reflecting on the novel’s themes, researching the historical context, and connecting it to current events, students can deepen their understanding of the issues that the novel raises and develop their own perspectives on the challenges facing society today.