Free write: "Ma, beside him, had folded her hands in her lap, had retired into a resistance against weariness. She sat loosely, letting the movement of the car sway her body and her head. She squinted her eyes ahead at the mountains. Rose of Sharon was braced against the movement of the car, her feet pushed tight against the floor, and her right elbow hooked over the door. And her plump face was tight against the movement, and her head jiggled sharply because her neck muscles were tight. She tried to arch her whole body as a rigid container to preserve her fetus from shock." (164)
Compare and contrast Ma & Rose of Sharon. Be specific in your comparison/contrast of the language used to describe each character. Come up with a thesis statement for a paragraph on this subject.
Reminder: close readings begin with an examination of language.
Character groups: quick check-in to add to your list. Be ready to report back to the group your findings on your character thus far. In three concise sentences, tell us about your character.
Discussion questions:
1. When the car breaks down, what is significant about Ma's reaction? How does this mechanical difficulty affect the relationship between Ma & Pa? Ma and the family? Tom & Al?
2. What advice does Tom offer the one-eyed man in the junkyard? What might the one-eyed man represent, metaphorically?
3. In the camping area, what information does the ragged man give to Pa about California? What effect does this information have on the Joads? (Pa, Tom, Al, & Ma)
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