Question

Read the following excerpt from an intercalary chapter in the Grapes of Wrath: Carloads of oranges dumped on the ground. The people came for miles to take the fruit,but this could not be. How would they buy oranges at twenty cents a dozen if they could drive out and pick them up? And men with hoses squirt Kerosense on the oranges, and they are angry at the crime,angry at the people hungry,needing the fruit----and Kerosene sprayed over the golden mountains. By including this intercalary chapter
By including thid intercalary chapter, what effects is Steinbeck most likely attempting to achieve?

Answer 1

Providing commentary, separate from the narrative, which illustrates the wastefulness that occurred during the Great Depression

Answer 2

Answer: Providing commentary, separate from the narrative, which illustrates the wastefulness that occurred during the Great Depression.

In this excerpt, Steinbeck provides commentary on the reality of the Great Depression. This is separate from the narrative, and serves to provide more information on the setting and the plot. The excerpt describes the wastefulness that occurred during this time period. Despite the poverty and hunger that was common at the time, the oranges were sprayed with kerosene so that people were not able to pick them up themselves for free.