Contrast the nature imagery in the second and third paragraphs with the tone each paragraph sets. How does the author accomplish this contrast?

I can't compare and contrast each paragraph for you. I think that, overall, Steinbeck's natural world reflects the human world. The idyllic innocence of the first chapter is juxtaposed with the harsh violence of the latter chapters. Nature mirrors these ideas and Steinbeck flawlessly represents this in his narrative.