Grapes+of+Wrath+Important+Terms

// The Grapes of Wrath Vocabulary // ====*While reading //The Grapes of Wrath// you will be required to keep a vocabulary log. As you read you should stop at words you do not know the meaning to and look them up. This will enhance your reading and understanding of the text. You will submit this list to me upon the completion of the novel. There should be a minimum of forty words on the list. You can submit this to me through e-mail.*====

Important Terms

Rose of Sharon: A showy flowering plant mentioned in the Bible and commonly considered to have been a tulip, narcissus, or meadow saffron.

Socialism: 1) Any of the various theories of social and political movements advocating or aiming at collective or governmental ownership and administration of the means of productive and control of the distribution of goods. 2) A system or condition of society or group living in which there is no private property (individualism). 3) A stage of society that in Marxist theory is a transitional between capitalism and communism.

Communalism: A principle or system of organization in which the major social or political units of the society are communes or local self-governing communities.

Individualist: One that pursues a markedly independent course in thought of action. One that speaks or acts with marked individuality. Independent of excess; in conflict with society.

Collectivism: System characterized by collective control especially over production and distribution of goods and services in contrast to free enterprise.

Emersonian/Transcendentalism: A philosophy of going beyond or exceeding usual limits. Proceeding beyond or lying outside of what is perceived or presented in experience.

Sharecropper: A tenant farmer who works the land, receives from the landlord seeds, stock, and usually living quarters and credit for food and other necessities consumed prior to harvesting and is paid a specific share of the crop from which deductions are taken for goods received beforehand.

Dust Bowl: A region that suffers from prolonged drought and dust storms.

Sometimes an author has his/her characters speak in a dialect that is particular to the region of the country they live in. Here is a list of words and phrases used by the Joads and other Okies. Why do you think Steinbeck has his characters use these words? Does it help them seem true to life? Why or why not?
 * Dialect and Idiomatic Expressions**

Meetin’ (as in a meetin’ held by a preacher) Burning Busher Sperit Talkin’ in tongues Mosey Tractorin’ Touched (as “in the head”) Jack (as in some jack in my pocket) Sidemeat Grace Whole shebang Get shut of this Figger Booted off Somepin’ Shif’less Pitchers (as in “go to the pitchers”) Bull simple Shoat Yourn Git sholt on yaself Hug-dance Crick