In John Steinbeck’s “The Turtle,” what does the trench that the turtle’s shell creates symbolize?

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"The Turtle" is a short story written by John Steinbeck and which makes part of the novel "The Grapes of Wrath", in chapter three. This story narrates the adventure of a land turtle who has to persevere and fight against all obstacles to be able to cross a highway in order to get to the other side and continue on its path. Along the way, the turtle must also face the challenge of dragging its heavy, but protective shell along, and the animal will do all in its power to reach the other side, with its shell intact and proud, regardless of how heavy it is, because it is its only means of protection. This story is riddled with imagery and metaphors that paint the hardships that the people of the Dust Bowl era and the Great Depression had to face when the economy came crashing down and hunger and lack of opportunity ruled in the United States. However, there is one image used, which is the trench that is carved from the efforts done by the turtle once it finally reaches its goal, and this symbol shows D: a road or example to follow. This is the correct choice because the trench symbol represents the road that many others will follow and which was carved by someone who already faced the challenge and is worthy to be used as an example.