What literary device is used in The Grapes of Wrath chapter 23?

It's difficult to pinpoint just one literary device in Chapter 23 of *The Grapes of Wrath* because Steinbeck uses many to create powerful imagery and convey the plight of the migrant workers. However, some prominent devices used in this chapter include:

* Symbolism: The most obvious is the "turtle" itself, which symbolizes the perseverance and resilience of the migrants. Its slow, deliberate journey across the highway mirrors their arduous trek to California.

* Personification: Steinbeck often gives human qualities to the natural world, like the "wind...that had been so long a-coming." This adds a sense of drama and emphasizes the power of the elements against which the migrants struggle.

* Imagery: Vivid sensory details are used throughout the chapter, such as the descriptions of the "red dust" and the "smell of gasoline and oil." This helps the reader feel the harshness and grit of the migrant experience.

* Metaphor: Steinbeck uses metaphors to draw comparisons, for example, "the road was a ribbon unwinding." This helps to emphasize the long, arduous journey the migrants face.

* Juxtaposition: The contrasting images of the "beautiful car" and the "turtle" highlight the stark divide between wealth and poverty in American society.

It's important to remember that Steinbeck masterfully weaves these devices together to create a complex and poignant narrative. He uses these techniques not only to tell a story but to expose the social injustices and human suffering of the Great Depression.

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