In steinbeck's the grapes of wrath, rose of sharon gives birth to a stillborn child. in describing how her uncle disposes of the child's body, steinbeck makes an allusion to the biblical figure moses, who leads his people to liberty after a period of bondage and suffering. in the concluding scene of the novel, rose of sharon is transformed into a virgin mary−like figure who is ready to sacrifice for others despite her sorrow. viewed in the light of the other images that steinbeck uses, what does rose of sharon's pregnancy likely symbolize? an end to great suffering a time of great pain and sorrow the of humans the promise of a new beginning

I'd like to clarify the choices presented:

-an end to great suffering 
-a time of great pain and sorrow
-the helplessness of humans
-the promise of a new beginning

the answer to the question is 'the promise of new beginning'. Viewed in the light of other images that Steinbeck uses, Rose of Sharon's pregnancy likely symbolizes a new beginning. 

1. in creon’s first words to the chorus, what are the “storms” that threatened to destroy the ship of state?   polynices’ invation of the city with foreign armies was the “storms” eteocles and polynices decided to switch the crown every year, but after eteocles’ first year decided not to share it with polynices. polynices joined forces with foreign armies to invade the city and tried to take the crown from his brother, where he and eteocles killed each other   2. examine creon’s opening speech. what are his concerns? how does he feel about the city and its citizens? what are his motivations for banning the burial of polyneices? what would drive creon to place the concerns of the collective citizens over those of his family?   in creon’s opening speech, his concerns are to count on his citizens to rule. in addition, he wanted to give a clear message by not giving a proper burial to polyneices, if creon gave a proper burial to polyneices his people would think that he was an allied to the foreign forces that invaded the city and threatened the peace of his people.   creon placed the concerns of the collective citizens because he has no use for those who put individual concerns over the needs of his people 3. pay attention to creon’s speech at the beginning of the scene. what does creon think someone’s first loyalty should be and what comes second? do you think he is correct under some conditions? do you think he is wrong in some conditions? explain those conditions. creon thinks someone’s first loyalty should be with the concerns of the collective citizens and second comes our individual wants. i think he is correct because true loyalty takes place in the benefits of many not of a few.   4. what news is the sentry reluctant to deliver?   the sentry is reluctant to say that polyneices had a burial. 5. who does the chorus suggest might have done this?   the chorus suggests that the gods have done that 6. what is creon’s reaction and who does creon think is responsible? creon reacted abruptly and thinks it was a man who bribed his guard to bury polyneices