Q
QuestionEnglish

How does the rising action of the novel affect the setting? In two to three sentences, explain what the initial setting of the story is and what the new setting is.
6 months agoReport content

Answer

Full Solution Locked

Sign in to view the complete step-by-step solution and unlock all study resources.

Step 1
: Identify the initial setting and the new setting

In John Steinbeck's "The Grapes of Wrath," the initial setting is the arid and economically devastated Great Plains during the Dust Bowl era. The Joad family, the novel's protagonists, reside in a small, deteriorating farmhouse on their drought-stricken land.

Step 2
: Analyze the rising action's impact on the setting

As the story progresses and the family faces mounting financial and agricultural challenges, the rising action drives the Joads to make the difficult decision to migrate west to California in search of work and a more prosperous life. This decision marks a significant shift in the setting, as the family leaves their familiar yet harsh environment for the unfamiliar and uncertain landscape of California.

Final Answer

The rising action in "The Grapes of Wrath" significantly affects the setting by prompting the Joad family to migrate from their familiar yet harsh environment in the Great Plains to the unfamiliar and uncertain landscape of California. This physical journey represents a profound psychological shift, as the family leaves behind their history, community, and way of life, and confronts the emotional challenges of adapting to a new environment.