Ma Joad

In a crisis, a person’s true colors emerge. The weak are separated from the strong just as strong leaders are from their followers. In the novel The Grapes of Wrath, the Joad family is forced to leave behind their past and head on a long, challenging journey to California in search of a better life. As a result of this crisis, Ma Joad emerges as a controlled, forceful, and an effective family leader showing qualities of selfless authority.

Beginning with the physical description of her appearances, she is pictured as a very strong woman both physically and mentally. “Her hazel eyes seemed to have experienced all possible tragedy” reveals that she has gone through countless adversities throughout her lifetime, giving her the ability to know how to respond under these circumstances. She is the foundation of wisdom and knowledge, and the one the family approaches to when they are in need of guidance. However, though it seems like she has all the answers, deep inside, she is just as scared and confused.

The way she hides her feelings and emotions efficiently demonstrate that she is self-controlled. If she acts as if everything is all right, the family assumes everything is fine. Yet when she shows weakness or fragility, the family does not know how to respond. Even the slightest tear as she stroked Tom's cheek made him hesitant. When she saw that he was almost frightened, she snapped back into reality turning back into the “tough” figure.

Another vital quality of Ma is her determination and love for the family. The grey cloth she wore that was once filled with colorful flowers reveals her selfless love for the family. She is more concerned about taking care of the needs of the rest of the members than her own desires.

Ma Joad plays a big role of being the strongest supporter of the family. She is the matriarch, and the back-bone of the family holding them from falling apart. She proves to everyone that she is the true leader, and the family will not be able to survive without her aid. If Ma were to collapse, the same will happen to the family.

Whose the blame?

Whose fault was the result of Mercutio’s death? I think the majority of the blame goes onto Romeo. Even though his bizarre love for Juliet may have been an attempt to cool it off with Tybalt, he should have better known how Mercutio would have reacted. What are best friends for?? And even when Mercutio challenged Tybalt, Romeo could have just stayed out of the way! In fact he could have joined Mercutio and use his crazy fighting skills to knock Tybalt unconscious instead of killing him. That way no one would have died. Romeo’s stepping in the way not only got his dear friend stabbed painfully but also die in embarrassment. Plus when Mercutio did die, Romeo killed Tybalt anyway! If Romeo had not been so drugged by love, perhaps he would have been able to think more straight. Stupid Romeo.

Tybalt Obituary

Tybalt, 17 of Verona, Italy, died Wednesday morning, June 6, 1365 after an intense dual sword fight between a Montague. A funeral service will be held at 6:00PM Friday by the Capulet's backyard.

Though Tybalt died at a young age, he was a respected member of the Capulet family, loved by both Lord and Lady Capulet and his cousin Juliet. When it came to defending his family’s pride and honor, there was no better candidate as him. He was an excellent fighter, always stepping out to protect his family even under dangerous circumstances. His death could have resulted from the hostility between his family and their prolonged arch-enemy, the Montagues. Perhaps he wouldn’t have gone through this if it hadn’t been for the feud between the two families. He will always be remembered and to honor his life’s long contributions, please make a short visit to his funeral. That will be much appreciated. No Montagues allowed.

Romeo, Oh Romeo, Wherefore art thou Romeo?

Act II Scene ii could be seen as one of the famous scenes of Shakespeare's play, Romeo and Juliet. It is commonly known as the "Balcony Scene" because Juliet appears on a small balcony outside her bedroom window, and exchanges words, expresses true love with Romeo who is standing below in her father's orchard. The scene is famous for its moving and vivid images used to express the “forbidden love” between two people of contrasting nature. Shakespeare’s use of diction, syntax and other narrative devices further enhance the emotions expressed by two lovers who are desperately in love, added with the atmospheric nature of passion and secrecy.

Diction illustrated in the passage shows the difference in the emotional state of Romeo and Juliet. Juliet expresses her fear of what will happen to Romeo if he is seen. Words such as “death” and “murder” shows her practical concern for Romeo and the danger he is in. Unlike Romeo, her words are very direct: “How cam’st thou hither, tell me, and wherefore?”; “if they do see thee, they will murder thee.” We can sense the anxiety and nervousness in her voice. On the other hand, Romeo could care less about death or danger. His attention is solely upon Juliet and his dying love for her. He is more concerned about expressing his true feeling using extravagant words: “With love’s light wings did I o’eroerch these walls,” “And but thou love me, let them find me here.” The fact that their families are enemies and the forbidden nature of their relationship adds further passion and the excitement of their “secretive” affair.

The syntax of the characters helps extend the secretive mood of the scene. Juliet’s sentences are portrayed with short and choppy questions which convey deep fear embedded in her. She is afraid that once this “secretive mood” is broken, Romeo will either get hurt or die. Her nervousness urge her to question using concise sentences that are short and right to the point. Contrariwise, Romeo’s speaks in long, flowing, poetic sentences. He has too much to say and he finds that simple words won’t satisfy his fervent love towards her. His poetic words are filled with passion, so beautiful and ardent. Shakespeare's use of blank verse also adds to the poetic love in which the iambic pentameter contributes.

Diction and syntax does not fully reveal and develop the mood of the scene. To utilize more depth and elation to the secretive mood, Shakespeare adds imagery and figurative languages such as personification, simile and metaphors which add to the romantic ambiance. Metaphors such as “with love’s light wings did I o’erperch these walls;/ For stony limits cannot hold love out,” shows the euphoric love of Romeo and his determination. He uses personification in order to show how love “prompted” him to inquire and lend him “counsel” in order to find Juliet. The metaphoric “night cloak” gives a sense of hope and protection from becoming exposed. Darkness works for their benefit for it does the job of hiding them from destruction.

The scene is filled with moods of passion and secrecy of a forbidden love. As Romeo and Juliet pour their love for each other in their own unique manners, we see how pure and true their love is. Nothing will pull them apart even if it means death. The scene almost foreshadows the consequences of the fate which will be brought upon them. Shakespeare’s excellent use of diction, syntax, and narrative devices are main components which crafted this beautiful, exotic scene of youthful ardor and intimacy of secretive and yet innocent love.

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