Essay Questions

What does the garden epitomize?

Steinbeck explicates, “Mary waited until it (the garden) was all done, all finished exactly as her mind had seen it; and then one evening when Harry came home from the office, she led him to window seat. “ You see,” she said softly. “There it is, just the way I wanted it…In a way I’m sad that it’s done…But mostly am glad. We won’t ever change it, will we, Harry? If a bush dies, we’ll put another one just like in the same place.” The garden is emblematic of excellence. Mary’s preferences indicate that she would not want its form be altered. She prefers the garden to be faultless for it is a depiction of her perfection.

Which device does Mary employ when describing her garden?

Steinbeck expounds, “He (Harry) was proud of her when people came in to dinner. She was so pretty, so cool and perfect. Her bowls of flowers were exquisite, and she talked about the garden modestly, hesitantly, almost as though she were talking about herself. Sometimes she took her guests into the garden. She pointed to a fuchsia tree. “I didn’t know whether he would succeed,” she said just as though the plant were a person. “He ate a lot of plant food before he decided to come around.” Mary deliberately personifies her garden and trees which underscores her appreciation for them. For her, the trees are equivalent to human beings; hence, they should be nourished for them to flourish magnificently. Mary validates the import of gardening for it contributes to the preservation of nature.

Which technique does Mama Torres employ to discourage Pepe from laziness?

Steinbeck elucidates, “Mama thought him fine and brave, but she never told him so. She said, “Some lazy cow must have got into thy father’s family, else who could I have a son like thee.” And she said, “When I carried thee, a sneaking lazy coyote came out of the brush and looked at me one day. That must have made thee so.” Mama makes assertions which imply that Pepe is inherently lazy. She attributes his perceived laziness to genetic factors and superstitions. The ironic assertions, which are not representative of his mother’s true feelings, are intended to discourage Pepe from being lazy and to bolster his slavery. Mama Torres’ technique is utter reverse psychology.