7. Feminist [Rose of Sharon]

Throughout the novel “The Grapes of Wrath” by John Steinbeck, the character Rose of Sharon is continually a very almost obnoxious character. She seems to be very self-centered and always complaining of her own needs. This may be warranted to the fact that she is pregnant but her naivety stands out as she is continually beguiled into believing what others say about her and her baby. This is shown in chapter 22 when one of the religious fanatics says she’ll drop her baby dead because she had been dancing. Rose of Sharon is also very dependant. However, we see the change in Rose of Sharon as the novel progresses and the complete change after she gives birth to a dead child. Her final and ultimate act of kindness to a starving stranger shows her true character switch from a whiney, obnoxious girl to nurturing mother.

Rose of Sharon is seen as extremely dependant throughout most of the novel. When Connie leaves, she nearly breaks down and refuses to do anything because she “wants Connie”. After it is apparent that Connie is not returning, she clings to Ma and also her own self pity. This weighs the family down even though Ma insists it’s just because she’s pregnant. Ma is very nurturing and sensitive to her situation however, and this helps to bring about a change in her. Through Ma’s advice, Rose of Sharon begins to see the need to work and care for her family and get out of her own self-pity.

After the birth and death of her baby, Rose of Sharon makes an obvious change. She is mellowed and in need of something to care for and nurture. She is no longer focused on herself as she has the mothering instinct. When she offers her breast milk to a starving man, she is not ashamed but willing and caring. It isn’t an awkward scene because of the way she truly shows him love, not sexually but as a mother would show her child, caressing his hair and smiling at the thought of giving life.

Though this is a very sudden change of character, I do not find it as out of place. You see her becoming this woman, though slowly, throughout the book and the immediate change of her after the delivery. She has the mother instinct and now understands the way Ma feels the need to care and protect, to keep the family together and going. She has finally made the true and significant switch from a child to a woman, not in a physical sense, but psychologically and emotionally. It fits perfectly to the ending and makes the community in poverty seem so real in the fact that they give their all even when they have nothing. Rose of Sharon has finally realized this.

The Real Villain.

The fault of Mercutio’s death can be attributed to many of the characters. This makes it hard to decipher who really committed this crime. However, by bringing it back to the very root of the problem, we see it was no one directly involved, but Juliet who caused Mercutio’s death. I say this because it is Juliet who is really being fought over here. It is she that caught Romeo’s eye and practically proposed to him. This caused the to families, that hate each other, to be joined, related. Because of this, Romeo could not fight Tybalt but is still hated by him. This show of “cowardice” towards such an adversary infuriated Mercutio and caused him to strike. Yet the fact that Romeo is married to Juliet made him have to defend Juliet’s cousin thus allowing Tybalt to stab and kill Mercutio. If Juliet hadn’t been in the picture, Romeo would’ve fought Tybalt in a street brawl and it would’ve attracted enough attention for it to be stopped. Neither would’ve been killed, as they were both excellent swordsmen. Romeo would also not have been in a frenzied rage, but a calm, controlled manner that would leave Tybalt unharmed as fencing was a courteous, gentleman's sport. Thus, because of Juliet did Romeo flounder and Mercutio die.

An Ode To A Veronian Youth

Tybalt Capulet, affectionately refered to as the Prince of Cats, died yesterday morning in a street brawl between the House of Capulet and the House of Montague. Tybalt was a beloved nephew to Lord and Lady Capulet who he respected and loved. Those that survived him were this aunt and uncle, his dear cousin Juliet and his mentor and friend Nurse Capulet. The Prince’s close relation Mercutio preceded him in death just minutes before. The young man was a favourite throughout the town and all are grieved to here of this only 23-year-old’s death. His passing has left an enormous toll on the House of Capulet who will be performing the funeral tomorrow morning at the local church.

Romeo and Juliet Free Response Question

In Act II, Scene ii, the mood is very vividly portrayed through the speech and emotions given off by Romeo and Juliet throughout their discourse. Juliet’s feelings about Romeo being in her garden are obviously rather tense and worried. She’s very practical in her questioning, whereas Romeo is obviously in some sort of love induced high. He is a young, impassioned, and romantic, pouring out his heart and capturing hers in the most profound language and poetry he can muster. He has no caution, which concerns Juliet even more. The whole feeling of this scene is a one of secret passion.

Throughout the scene Romeo coins phrases such as “love’s light wings” and “night’s cloak to hide me” portraying a mood of poetry and romance undercover. Other phrases he says also show his stubbornness and so his charm to Juliet, “As that vast shore, wash’d with the farthest sea, I would adventure for such merchandise.” This can also be looked at as foreshadowing of their death where Romeo follows her to this distant shore that seems inaccessible. Reference to death continually springs up in Romeo’s speech as the ultimate sacrifice of his love for her. As the practical one she rebuffs him, warning him and trying to calm this mad rampage of love.

Romeo’s dialogue is poetic and spread out; he takes a long time to say not a lot. He seems almost courageous in his stupidity in this lover’s euphoria. Nothing can hinder him. Juliet however is not sharing his joy however. She continually tries to shake him out of it by warning him of the perils he’s in for in short, succinct, practical reminders of his stupidity in coming for her. However she loosens up after his constant poetic genius, admitting to this love and giving in to the mood of the scene.

Another thing that contributes to the mood of the scene is the fact that they are both speaking in blank verse. This iambic pentameter makes it feel as though the lovers are singing to each other making it feel more romantic. Also, the setting of this dark, secretive garden under the cover of night with the stars for their light also plays into the mood of these two young lovers. The passion with which they converse when coming form such hated rivals after simply going for looks amazes me.

Throughout this scene, the feelings of these impassioned young lovers sets the mood in their premature fantasy. The precautionary Juliet versus the exuberant, careless Romeo causes the scene to take on the characteristic of secret romance. The very different sentence structures, of short and practical, and long and frivolous, also helps to see these two moods taking place. Primarily, Romeo is the one who uses different phrases to get the feeling of this encounter. Through lines like “My life were better ended by their hate than death prorogued, wanting of thy love.” He is able to set the mood and capture Juliet’s love and approval.

WE SORT OF NEED...

-a number of workers significantly less than what we posted on our previous handbill.
-workers willing to work for dirt cheap wages and starve and sleep on the side of the road.
-work conditions indescribable, cannot be put into words.

COME WATCH YOUR FAMILY STARVE!!!
IN CALIFORNIA! the land of *&^%$#...

*side effects may include death by starvation, hopelessness, depression, or intense anger