The Grapes Of Wrath: Symbols

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of the novel is through the use of symbolism. There are several uses of
symbols in the novel from the turtle at the beginning to the rain at the end.  
As each symbol is presented through the novel they show examples of the good and
the bad things that exist within the novel.
The opening chapter paints a vivid picture of the situation facing the
drought-stricken farmers of Oklahoma. Dust is described a covering everything,
smothering the life out of anything that wants to grow.  The dust is symbolic of
the erosion of the lives of the people.  The dust is synonymous with "deadness".
The land is ruined ^way of life (farming) gone, people ^uprooted and forced to
leave.  Secondly, the dust stands for ^profiteering banks in the background that
squeeze the life out the land by forcing the people off the land. The soil, the
people (farmers) have been drained of life and are exploited:
The last rain fell on the red and gray country of Oklahoma in early May. 
The weeds ...

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