1. "And the rain came, and the earth was soft and green, and the grass rose and the leaves came on the trees. And the people came, with their faces turned toward the west, toward the setting sun." (Chapter 1)
* Anaphora: "And the"
* Effect: This repetitive phrase creates a sense of cyclical renewal and the inevitability of the journey westward. It also emphasizes the coming of both the rain and the people, connecting the natural world with the human migration.
2. "The men were weary, but the women were wearier. The men had worked in the fields, and their work was heavy, but their weariness was a physical thing. The women had cooked the meals, and tended the children, and kept the house clean, and their weariness was a weariness of the spirit." (Chapter 3)
* Anaphora: "The men were weary, but the women were wearier."
* Effect: Steinbeck highlights the different burdens carried by men and women during the Dust Bowl era. The anaphora emphasizes the stark contrast between their physical and emotional exhaustion, revealing the hidden struggles of women.
3. "No, we ain't gonna starve. We'll make it. We'll get there. We'll make it." (Chapter 4)
* Anaphora: "We'll"
* Effect: This repetition is full of hope and determination. It signifies a belief in a better future and a refusal to give up on the journey. The anaphora instills a sense of unity and purpose within the family.
4. "And the highways were crowded with the people, and the people were hungry, and the land was empty." (Chapter 5)
* Anaphora: "And the"
* Effect: Steinbeck uses the repetition to portray the stark reality of the Dust Bowl's impact. The anaphora creates a somber and haunting tone, emphasizing the desperation and emptiness that plague the migrants.
5. "It is a time for anger. It is a time for fear. It is a time for sorrow." (Chapter 20)
* Anaphora: "It is a time"
* Effect: Steinbeck lists these powerful emotions, highlighting the psychological impact of the Dust Bowl and the hardships the migrants face. The anaphora creates a sense of urgency and emphasizes the weight of the times.
6. "For the anger is a thing that can be passed from man to man, and the fear is a thing that can be passed from man to man, and the hatred is a thing that can be passed from man to man." (Chapter 20)
* Anaphora: "For the anger is a thing that can be passed from man to man, and the fear is a thing that can be passed from man to man, and the hatred is a thing that can be passed from man to man."
* Effect: Steinbeck uses this extended anaphora to demonstrate the contagious nature of negative emotions. It emphasizes the potential for violence and unrest amidst the hardships of the migration.
These are just a few examples, but *The Grapes of Wrath* is rich in anaphora, and Steinbeck uses it to great effect throughout the novel to create powerful imagery, emphasize key themes, and reveal the complexities of the human experience during the Dust Bowl.