Symbolism Journal

In Grapes of Wrath, by John Steinbeck, there is one major symbol that is highlighted throughout the entire book. This symbol is Rose of Sharon's pregnancy. Her pregnancy represents hope during the family's hard times. Rose of Sharon's pregnancy is something that is new and an object of joy. It is one piece of happiness that Rose of Sharon can hold on to as she and her family are forced to leave their land. As they head out to California, Rose of Sharon is dependent on her baby, just like many people during the Great Depression were dependent on hope, the hope of food, the hope of shelter, the hope of water, or the hope of money and better work. Rose of Sharon's movements are made around the baby; if she thinks it will hurt the baby, she does not do it, whether it is dancing, turning around, or bending over. While she is at a government camp with the rest of the Joad family, she is taught about childbirth, and how to take care of herself and her baby during her pregnancy. She tries not to stray from these teachings as she wants to have the perfect baby. In the same way, people did many things to ensure their hopes. For example, to build their hopes up and feel relief in a time of crisis, people danced, sang songs, played instruments, and told stories. Yet near the end of the book, Rose of Sharon goes into labor early and bears a stillborn baby. The family is crushed, especially Rose of Sharon, and the baby is sent down the river by Uncle John. This references back to the Bible in the time of Moses. To save her child from dying by the Egyptian hand, Moses's mother sends him in a basket down the river where he falls into the hands of the Egyptian princess. He is raised and later comes back to save his fellow Israelites. In the same way, the dead baby is sent down the river to tell of the families struggles. The baby is their hope, sent away to tell the rest of the world of their struggle and strife.