Rose of Sharon

Literary Elements

Tools of the Authors

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The Authors of Grapes of Wrath and Songs of Solomon use specific literary techniques in order to convey a specific attitude or theme. Parallels can be drawn from the writing styles of both authors.
 
There is a definite imagery of gardens and nature in these pieces. Rose of Sharon has strong ties to her vineyards and her beauty and personality is constantly referenced to through the use of nature and growing life. Steinbeck uses nature to show a backdrop for the scenes of his characters, to show their appreciation for a place. The discussion of this imagery can be further found in the Allusion Section of our website.
 
 Futher information on the foiling of characters can be found in the Theme Section of our website.
 
Further information of the paralleling of characters can be found on the Theme Section.
 
The authors each use repitition to convey their points more effectively. In Grapes of Wrath, Steinbeck shows Rose of Sharon constantly focusing all her attention to the status of Connie returning or the welfare of her baby. This helps to show her selfish personality. Steinbeck needs to secure this portrayal of Rose of Sharon in the audience's mindset in order for her epiphany to be understood and noticed. In Songs of Solomon the phrase, "O that his left hand were under my head, and that his right hand embraced me!"(2:6,8:3) is repeated twice, once in the beginning to convey Rose of Sharon being lovesick over her beloved and agian at the end to show her want of her beloved returning to her. The repetition of a phrase creates a cycling within the character's personality. Steinbeck also cycles his chapters, often starting with a paragraph similar to the ending one. Another parallel that can be drawn through repetition is the curious and mysterious nature of Rose of Sharon's lips and eyes. Steinbeck comments numerously that she has a mysterious nature in that she smiles like she is hiding a secret. In Songs of Solomon, the phrase "behind your veil" describes that her "eyes are doves"(4:1) and her cheeks "like halves of a pomegranate"(4:3).
 
Songs of Solomon is overflowing with metaphors and similes. The basis of the piece is a metaphor, "I am a rose of Sharon, a lily of the valley. As a lily among brambles so is my love amoung maidens."(2:1-2). The person is a beautiful person, an extraordinary specimen surrounded by common ones. The beauty of both of the lovers is described with the aid of these elements, "His appearance is like Lebanon, choice as the cedars"(5:15).

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Product of West Morris Central High School: Meaghan C. Sara M. Katie P.