Farmers In The Grapes Of Wrath

A farmer named Bill Bryson once said, “ There are only three things that can kill a farmer: lighting, rolling over in a tractor, and of old age.” Farmers during the Dust Bowl were evicted from their land, leading them to head West, to California, in hopes of finding work, maybe even acquiring their own farms that could not be taken away. In chapter 11 of the Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck, the author’s purpose are to show the contrast between small farmers and “great” agribusiness owners and also to display how a land and farmer are nothing without each other. Throughout chapter 11 Steinbeck implies the differences of a small farmer’s devotion, respect, and connection to the land in contrast with the great owners, who view their land

Steinbeck creates the idea that the “chemical elements” of a soil analysis does not completely make up the land. There needs to be the element of humanity to keep the land alive and filled with “warmth and vitality.” Steinbeck draws a sharp contrast between the tractor and horse using an analogy to say that the tractor is only dead after being used while the horse returns back to the barn to prepare for the next day. The author is implying that the tractor is dead, the earth with humanity and life will nourish it for the better. The addition of this analogy demonstrates how the land and owner needs each to prosper and grow into something exquisite. So, the diction of the word “knife” without the “blade” creates a deeper meaning that the farmers are practically dead without their land. The knife without a blade wouldn’t be able to continue being viable. With the usage of the diction, “knife” it creates a darker interpretation that it’s murderous if the bigger corporations take away the lands of the farmers. The ranchers don’t have much, they only have the land in which is their source of profit and ultimately happiness. Taking away happiness, a freedom, is unbearable so the word “knife” cuts a deeper wound, allowing the readers to feel sympathy. Losing something that brought contentment and prosperity would be heart clenching enough to make the farmers feel hopeless and end their life with the