The Grapes of Wrath (1940) Ending Explained
TL;DR:
The ending of Highway 66 (a fictional movie, as no such film exists under that exact title-though it may be confused with Route 66 or Cars on Route 66) would typically follow a road-trip narrative where the protagonist completes a transformative journey. The finale likely involves the main character reaching a personal or literal destination, reconciling with their past, or finding closure. Themes of freedom, self-discovery, and the open road are central. If the movie is akin to classic road films, the ending might be bittersweet, emphasizing the journey over the destination. Below is a detailed analysis assuming Highway 66 follows the tropes of a road movie.
Detailed Explanation of the Ending:
In a hypothetical Highway 66, the ending would likely revolve around the protagonist-say, a disillusioned wanderer or a runaway-reaching the end of their physical and emotional journey. After miles of encounters with quirky characters, facing personal demons, and overcoming obstacles (mechanical breakdowns, law enforcement, or internal conflicts), the climax might involve a confrontation with their original reason for hitting the road. For example, if the protagonist fled from a broken relationship or a stifling life, the ending could show them either returning home changed or choosing to keep moving forward, symbolizing irreversible growth. The final scene might feature a sunset over the desert highway, a callback to an earlier motif, or a quiet moment of reflection in a roadside diner.
Symbolism and Themes:
The ending would heavily emphasize the road itself as a metaphor for life's unpredictability. Route 66, as a historic symbol of American freedom and decay, might represent both the promise of adventure and the inevitability of change. If the protagonist parts ways with a travel companion (a common trope), their goodbye could underscore the transient nature of connections made on the road. Alternatively, the ending might subvert expectations by revealing that the destination was unimportant-e.g., the protagonist realizes they were running from themselves, and the highway served as a mirror for their psyche. Visual cues like abandoned towns or fading neon signs could echo themes of impermanence.
Unresolved Questions and Possible Answers:
1. Did the protagonist achieve their goal?
- Maybe not in the way they expected; the journey may have redefined their desires.
2. What happens to the secondary characters they met along the way?
- They might represent fleeting influences, left behind as the protagonist moves on.
3. Is the ending optimistic or tragic?
- It could be open-ended: the protagonist is wiser but alone, or content but still rootless.
Personal Opinion:
If Highway 66 follows the tradition of great road movies like Easy Rider or Thelma & Louise, its ending would resonate emotionally by prioritizing character arc over plot resolution. I'd appreciate an ambiguous finale-something that lingers, asking the audience to project their own experiences onto the protagonist's choices. A flaw might be clichéd symbolism (e.g., a literal "end of the road" sign), but if the film balances grit with poetry, it could be profound. The best road movies leave you feeling both wanderlust and melancholy, and Highway 66 would ideally capture that duality.
Final Thoughts:
Whether the ending is a reunion, a farewell, or a solitary drive into the horizon, Highway 66's conclusion would hinge on its commitment to authenticity. The highway's mythos demands an ending that feels earned-neither overly sentimental nor nihilistic. If the protagonist's arc mirrors the road's rise and fall (from bustling neon to ghost towns), the film could deliver a powerful commentary on the American Dream. Ultimately, the best endings in this genre are those that acknowledge the road never really ends; it just changes you.