Personal Philosophy

"Think with dispassion, speak with equanimity, act in calm."

I'm so dramatic. I always have been, and I've been reminded by parents, teachers, and friends alike of just how dramatic I can be. Whether its a poor test grade, a relationship, or a problem that really isn't that big of a deal, I have a notoriety for blowing it out of proportion and dragging everyone down in the process. So I tried to change myself as soon as possible.

"Dear God," I whined to my 8th grade self. "Will I ever change? I hope I'm not like this in high school."

For the first year of high school, it's safe to say I didn't change. But sophomore year forced me to push the drama aside and face the cold, hard truth of reality.

Two weeks before 10th grade started, my grandfather passed away. It was the first time I had ever experienced death in my family, so it was pure, raw heartbreak. He was one of the people I had been the closest with, and he spoiled me more than anyone else. Every single week, he'd bring me a movie or a book, and I'd spend the weekend reading for hours or watching movies. It sparked my love for film and literature.

A week after, it was my 15th birthday. For the first time in my life,  I didn't do anything to celebrate.

Then the madness of sophomore year began. Slowly, I started losing friends, and often found myself alone. I put up with a verbally abusive relationship. But my biggest problem was how I blew things out of proportion.

With all of the people I had to deal with that year, I learned how to handle people who are dramatic, panicked, and angry, and so I better learned how to handle myself. Playing therapist for all of the distraught people I met made me feel good about myself, because not only was I helping them, but I was allowing myself to mature in the process.

Fast forward to junior year, and I'm glad to say I'm no longer the whiny, immature mess I used to be. I'm so much stronger, and with more composure in my everyday life.

Two weeks ago I bought a CD, and in the case I found this sticker.

It's become my mantra ever since.

Poem (C) Chapters 16-19 *

This poem is my perspective of the greed that the Joad family may have felt or experienced on their journey west. It explores the basic instincts of human survival being balanced with concepts of transcendentalism.

Take what's left of our land, do what you wish
We've been robbed by the mechanical giants
I could take all that you have
I can steal all that you love

And the great metal giants tear up the floor
in the temple of our hearts
they show no mercy
Where is our faith now?

And the devil and the angel stand upon my shoulders
One whispers "keep it",
The other, "give it away"

God says to love thy neighbor
but nobody loves us Okies.

Transcendentalism (H) Chapters 11-15

Transcendentalism, in its purest form, is essentially a person's knowledge being powerful enough to get them through life without the need of a higher being or a religion; not necessarily that of atheist background, but the idea that being informed of the world around you is enough to live your life. The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy defines transcendentalists as "critics of their contemporary society for its unthinking conformity, and urged that each person find, in Emerson's words, 'an original relation to the universe.' " Throughout the book many religious references are used, such as symbolism and names from the bible.

Steinbeck argues that one does not need religion to carry on. The Joads carry on to California despite facing tragedy and discrimination. This idea of losing faith through experiencing obstacles is true in Grapes of Wrath; as the novel continues, the characters being to lose hope as their loved ones die as they get closer and closer to their goal. However, they stay strong and determined, despite being disappointed by their higher being. Their journey continues, with or without their faith. 

Highway 66 (B) Chapters 11-15

Highway 66 (or U.S Route 66) is a major U.S. highway created in 1926. The west end of the highway merges into U.S 101 Santa Monica, California,  and the east end starts from U.S 41/54 in Chicago, Illinois. The entire highway covers 2,448 miles, with 432 of them in Oklahoma. Route 66 was the main route of travel for those migrating to California during the Dust Bowl, in which the Joad Family is involved in Grapes of Wrath. Later on in the 1950s, Route 66 became the ideal route for those traveling to vacation in Los Angeles. Its prominence in pop culture can be seen in many songs written during the time period. It is also known for other famous landmarks, such as the first McDonalds restaurant built in 1940 in San Bernadino, California off of Route 66, and became a popular spot for travelers to dine.

Route 66 is significant to the Joad family and migrants in general because not only did it provide a route to California, but also symbolized the emotional journey that one must take in the process of leaving your home behind to start a new life.

Conflict (G) Chapters 1-10

Man v. machinery is a major conflict in the novel.

"But this tractor does two things- it turns the land and turns us off the land. There is little difference between this tractor and a tank. The people were driven, intimidated, hurt by both."

This quote shows that no matter what job the machinery does, its impact on the human emotion is prominent. The emotional attachment to the land is abruptly interrupted by the cold, "intimidating" machines. Though the farmers felt a connection to the food which they grew, the lack of food and resources made it difficult to maintain a relationship with their own land. 

Being that man created machinery, it is an interesting commentary by Steinbeck that man cannot control what it has created, an idea that remains relevant present-day through the development of modern technology. 

This machinery created during the Great Depression was intended to help and increase profit, but instead put many farmers out of business,  and escalated the problem in the already poverty-struck nation. 

Themes (F) Chapters 1-10

The theme of blame is prominent in The Grapes Of Wrath as characters suffer the consequences of others decisions.

"...as though the Bank or the company were a monster, with thought and feeling which had ensnared them." (p.31)

This quote early on in the book begins to demonstrate the character's need to bring blame onto others, especially large groups with power. Since they are powerless under the control of a company or a bank, they feel that their fate is out of their hands. Even if their current state of living was brought on from themselves, it is much easier to claim that it is someone else's fault.

Blame, both in the text and in life, is often used as a justification for one's actions, or a lack of someone taking responsibility in a situation.

"The bank is something more than men, I tell you. It's the monster. Men made it, but they can't control it." (p.33)

The theme of blaming a higher power is common in the lower class. Not only can this higher power be a group or company that is wealthy, but a higher power can also be a God, and a lack of belief following tragic events that shatter their faith.

My Lovely Oklahoma (C) Chapters 1-10*

I love you, my dear. You complete me in the same way that the rain satisfies the earth when it touches the dry, unforgiving ground and blesses it with life. I love you in the same way that the sun sets on the field with warm, comforting hands and the glow of rebirth blankets the barren land. From the beginning of my life, you raised me, you innocently guided me into finding myself , blindly dragging me and my dirt-covered soul, laughing all the way with shining eyes and a smile like the pale moon over the fields. I've loved you so wholeheartedly that if one day I were to leave you behind, I would not know what to do with myself. The land I left behind would die, as would my heart; they are connected as one and always will be. Your "hard, foot-beaten ground"(38) is the floor in the room of my soul.

 But Oklahoma, my dear, my darling, my beloved, I cannot seem to forget how you've made me feel all these years. You watched me grow and in times of both pain and success, you watched me with eager eyes and tightly pressed together your pretty parched lips as you saw me struggle to keep the dying land alive. As I walk across you I "feel the warmth and power of the earth" (35) which keeps me close to your heart. I will never find another love like you.

"The great crawlers moving like insects" (35) came, and when they did I prayed that they would not ruin my only true love. "They ignored hills and gulches, water courses, fences, houses," (35) but most importantly, they ignored my heart.