MAN vs. MACHINE
Throughout The Grapes of Wrath it is clear that improved technology has been taking place of the simple American livelihood that sustains most, farming. The two quotes below illustrate this fact:
"He could not see the land as it was, he could not smell the land as it smelled; his feet did not stamp the clods or feel the warmth of the earth...He could not cheer or beat or curse or encourage the extension of his power, and because of this he could not cheer or whip or curse or encourage himself." (35)
It is clear by the quote that the farmers and the land were quite separated, figuratively and physically. The machines were considered an "extension" of the farmers, showing how machines were considered a part of a human. However, it was impossible to show emotions towards their extensions (they could not "cheer or beat or curse"), thus making it impossible for them to show their emotions, making them hold them in, hurting them in the long run. Because of this, there was a long lasting tug of rope between men and machines fighting for superiority.
"Mules! Hey, Joe, hear this? This guy wants to trade mules. Didn't nobody tell you this is the machine age? They don't use mules for nothing but glue more." (64)
This shows how a thing of value possibly just a few years ago has barely any value now. Those mules cannot do nearly as much as a machine could that may take its place. The salesman himself states that it is a "machine age" showing how machines are triumphing over all others, and how there is a constant battle between machines and men.
Throughout The Grapes of Wrath it is clear that improved technology has been taking place of the simple American livelihood that sustains most, farming. The two quotes below illustrate this fact:
"He could not see the land as it was, he could not smell the land as it smelled; his feet did not stamp the clods or feel the warmth of the earth...He could not cheer or beat or curse or encourage the extension of his power, and because of this he could not cheer or whip or curse or encourage himself." (35)
It is clear by the quote that the farmers and the land were quite separated, figuratively and physically. The machines were considered an "extension" of the farmers, showing how machines were considered a part of a human. However, it was impossible to show emotions towards their extensions (they could not "cheer or beat or curse"), thus making it impossible for them to show their emotions, making them hold them in, hurting them in the long run. Because of this, there was a long lasting tug of rope between men and machines fighting for superiority.
"Mules! Hey, Joe, hear this? This guy wants to trade mules. Didn't nobody tell you this is the machine age? They don't use mules for nothing but glue more." (64)
This shows how a thing of value possibly just a few years ago has barely any value now. Those mules cannot do nearly as much as a machine could that may take its place. The salesman himself states that it is a "machine age" showing how machines are triumphing over all others, and how there is a constant battle between machines and men.
No comments:
Post a Comment