"The man's clothes were new-- all of them, cheap and new. His grey cap was so new that the visor was still stiff and the button still on, not shapeless and bulged as it would be when it had served for a while all the various purposes of a cap--carrying sack, towel, handkerchief. His suit was of cheap gray hardcloth and so new that there were many creases in the trousers. His blue chambray shirt was stiff and smooth with filler" (Steinbeck, 6). The repetition of the word new is used to underscore the economic status of the location. The deep south during this time was experiencing many hardships economically which is why the new things are "cheap and new ". The use of new is also applicable because Tom Joad has just been released from prison and paroled. The irony of the new clothes that Joad receives are the only new things mentioned in the first 10 chapters, and many of the other object described are either old or being sold.
No comments:
Post a Comment