Grapes of Wrath Essay: Steinbecks Use of Universal Archetypes

Use of Universal Archetypes in The Grapes of displeasure      John Steinbeck sets his novel The Grapes of Wrath during the Depression of the 1930s. Universal archetypes catch out a significant role in Steinbecks layer. Steinbeck creates a jut out of characters whose archetypes can be easily related to. The Earthmother, haven versus madhouse, and the pestiferous figure with the ultimately good heart are archetypes described in The Grapes of Wrath to show the bad and good times during a time of hardships.       During a period of arduous and zestful moments, the archetypal Earthmother can be determine in the Joad household. Ma Joad is the citadel in the family. She thinks and cares not for herself but for the family and people. Ma has helped keep the family stable, She seemed to know that if she swayed the family shook (96). Even in times when forage was scarce, Ma spared what she could to help those without. Ma said, ´ Look, you little fellas go an swallow you each a flat stick an Ill put whats lef for you (331). The Earthmother is characterized by the willingness and considerateness in helping and nurturing the family and fellow neighbors. Mas daughter, Rose of Sharon, gradually changes to an Earthmother. Rose of Sharon finds herself beingness concerned with the welfare of her bumble. She is in constant worry about whether she is talent enough nutrients from milk and food to bring a healthy baby in the world. Rose of Sharons final act of nurturing shows how she accepts her role as Earthmother. She looked up and across the barn and her lips came together and smiled mysteriously (589).  With this smile, the mystery of motherhood is tacit by Rose of Sharon. Though she was unable to g... ...a sanctuary and a rate of peace and beauty while the hells are gruesome and of cruelty.   In the Grapes of Wrath, Steinbeck incorporates the Earthmother, the evil figure with the ultimately good heart, and the ha ven versus hell as archetypes to describes the characters and the situations in the novel that the migrants experiences on their excursion through the enjoyable and mendacious times. Ma and Rose of Sharon for there nurturing and caring of others characterized the Earthmother. Not only the Joads, but as well as other migrants encountered the evil figure with the ultimately good heart. The Haven and the hell are both symbolic of the dwellings the migrants and the Joads went through. These are archetypes that are described in John Steinbecks The Grapes of Wrath in order to create a story of real life experiences during the depression of the 1930s.