Free Grapes of Wrath Essays: Steinbecks Portrait of Fear :: Grapes Wrath essays

Portrait of Fear in The Grapes of Wrath Steinbeck shows throughout The Grapes of Wrath that piece is afraid of transgressure. Although that fear is present in both the desperate migratory workers and the big, ruthless land owners, Steinbeck uses Al Joads pillow slip to his full advantage t model this characteristic of man. Als personal fear of failure motivates him to do hygienic in life in comparison to his male role models, as well as to help support the family. This is conveyed through Als sense of debt instrument to his family, his c atomic number 18ful nature, and his moody and defensive behavior.             Als sense of responsibility to his family is a study element in his determination not to fail. His knowledge and operation of automobiles are Als major contribution to the family He might be a musking goat sometimes, but this was his responsibility, this truck, its running, and its maintenance...And everyone respected hi m and his responsibility (Steinbeck, pages 131 and 132). Al not only helps the family keep an eye on in getting to California by taking on this responsibility, he also makes up for other areas of his character in which he feels he is failing or lacking. Such an area of character might be his apathy towards letting his family know his whereabouts when he disappears for days at a time in Oklahoma.             Als careful nature is another obvious cross that he does not want to fail. He feels that precaution is the only carriage to prevent something from going wrong and ultimately failing. This is visible in his meticulous care of the truck Al grew tense over the wheel. A smaller rattle had developed in the engine. He speeded up and the rattle increased...Al blew his saddle horn and pulled the car to the side of the road (page 225). Als care, though obvious only in that of the truck, definitely suggests that should he fail to properly m aintain the truck, he would fail himself and his family as well. To offset such an event, Al constantly watches for and prevents any contingent problems with the truck.             Als moody and defensive behavior is also a strong use of his resolution not to fail. Although his attitude could be attributed to adolescent arrogance, one who examines Als character can see that he has more pressure placed upon him than just about of the other members of the family.