C)

__ **How is Rose of Sharon’s final act in the story reflective of her name? Describe how throughout the story she has learned from Ma. Does her feeding of the starving man provide a hopeful ending? Why or why not?** __  Background Information- Rose of Sharon is the common name for a plant scientifically known as hibiscus syriacus. The name // hibiscus syriacus // originated from the King James' version of the Bible.

"For a minute Rose of Sharon sat still in the whispering barn. Then she hoisted her tired body up and drew the comfort about her. She moved slowly to the corner and stood looking down at the wasted face, into the wide, frightened eyes. Then slowly she lay down beside him. He shook his head slowly from side to side. Rose of Sharon loosened one side of the blanket and bared her breast. 'You go to,' she said. She squirmed closer and pulled his head close. 'There!' she said. 'There.' Her hand moved behind his head and supported it" (chapter 30).

What thoughts and images come to mind when you think of the season, spring?

In Rose of Sharon's final act, she nourishes a starving man by breast feeding him back to life. Aside from Jim Casy, Rose of Sharon can also be viewed to as a Christ figure as well which can be a direct allegory to the bible being where her name came from. She gives hope to the Joads, through the life inside of her. Rose of Sharon's final act in the story does reflect her name. When you thinks of a rose, you imagine a beautiful flower that blossoms in the season of spring. In the transition from winter to spring, come with the cold weather warming up, ice melting off the ground, animals wakening from hibernation, and the general conditions in which plants can begin life once again. Spring resembles life. This is exactly what Rose of Sharon gives off in her final act. She brings life back to a malnourishing man.

"It ain't kin we? It's will we?" she said firmly. "As far as 'kin,' we can't do nothin', not go to California or nothin'; but as far as 'will,' why, we'll do what we will. An' as far as 'will'-it's a long time our folks been here and east before, an' I never heerd tell of no Joads or no Hazletts, neither, ever refusin' food an' shelter or a lift on the road to anybody that asked. They's been mean Joads, but never that mean" (chapter 10).

Throughout the novel, Ma continues to be the glue that holds the family together. Ma becomes a male figure in the family in how she takes control of situations. She is strong willed and has the ability to take control of a situation. Rose of Sharon resembles these traits of Ma throughout the story because from the very being, she is very opportunistic in regards to moving to California. Then at the end of the story, Rose of Sharon takes control of the situation by helping to feed the starving man.

The final act of Rose of Sharon does provide for a hopeful ending because once again, Rose of Sharon is bringing a life back to the world. Even though her baby did not survive, Rose of Sharon continues to do good.