Writing Style in Grapes of Wrath

Every other chapter, the odd numbered chapters, in the novel Grapes of Wrath seems to be about something entirely random when you read it at first glance. However, when one reads the following chapter he or she always realizes that it was in some way relevant to the preceding chapter. I think this is an interesting technique and helps keep the reader's attention engaged by mixing up the novel into different parts rather than just telling the story straight through. As one is reading the chapter about something not pertaining to the storyline itself, it can become an interesting mind game for one to perhaps guess what will be in the following chapter that ties it to this one. Also, as one is reading the even numbered chapter that follows it, it is always interesting to realize how they are related.

Sometimes the odd numbered chapter gives a background or history that supplies the information one will need to gain perspective about the goings-on in the even numbered chapter. One example of this is when chapter one talks about all the dust that comes and ruins the crops, which gives you perspective as to why all the farms are failing in the area. Other times the odd numbered chapter just talks about a small factor in the following chapter, such as the turtle in chapter three which makes a small appearance in chapte rfour when it is snagged by Joad to take home to his brother.

I find this technique and writing style to be very effective in keeping my own attention. The book is interesting but can become tiresome at times as its individual chapters extend for great lengths of time. Slowly the words can start to run together without a break. However, when the other chapter comes a gives a bit of a break form the monotony, it makes it easier to start fresh when the new chapter of the storyline comes along.