powerlessness, perseverance and resistance

Question 1

‘ t - - - - b - - - - - p - - - - - - - - - b - - - - - h - - - a - - a - - - - a - - r - - - - - - - - ‘

Answer 1

‘their bemused perplexity became hard and angry and resistant’

the impoverished oklahoma farmers will persevere in circumstances that seem hopeless. its important that the men’s wrath - ‘anger’ - instead of passive dismay is what assures their families they won’t give up. it isn’t catastrophe that destroys a person, its giving up. survival in the face of environmental destruction, unity.

Question 2

‘ t - - - - - - a - - - - f - - n - - - - - - ‘

Answer 2

‘turning aside for nothing’

perseverance mimics the reluctance of the farmers to leave the land, land is their identity and to leave it would ‘kill them’ (muley graves)

the turtle faces so many obstacles but continues to push. determination despite difficulty and hoping for a new life. this is what the novel is about, the plight of the migrant workers

Question 3

‘ t - - e - - - - - - - - - g - - - s - - - - - - / ‘ - - - - - - e - - - - - - of t - - l - - - t - - - - - ‘

Answer 3

‘the embankment grew steeper / frantic efforts of the land turtle’

upward struggles coming their way. highlights the resilience in the face of adversity, despite obstacles they keep going. they dont give into the upward struggle