One flew over the Cuckoo's Nest VS. the Grapes of Wrath - Comparative Essay

Throughout John Steinbeck’s novel The Grapes of Wrath, many concepts appear that were noted in How to Read Literature Like a Professor by Thomas C. Foster. However, the three chapters of Foster’s how-to guide that most apply to Steinbeck’s novel were “It’s All About Sex…,” “Every Trip is a Quest (Except When It’s Not),” and “It’s More Than Just Rain or Snow.” On more than one occasion these concepts are hidden within the book, and two of them actually seem somewhat linked together. After reading between the lines, The Grapes of Wrath has an extremely intricate plot and many ulterior meanings. Foster’s book helps to solve these meanings and make it so that the novel can be completely understood.

The Grapes of Wrath is structured with short chapters pertaining to the whole mass of migrants and longer chapters directed towards the actions of the Joad family. The styles of writing change dramatically between the two types of chapters,

At first, Tom only cared about himself and how he would succeed. Pretty soon, he has the same line of thinking as Preacher Jim Casy. “[sic] I’ll be ever’where-wherever you look. Wherever they’s a fight so hungry people can eat, I’ll be there. Wherever they’s a cop beatin’ up a guy, I’ll be there” (Steinbeck 537). Tom is talking about how he wants to organize a strike like what Casy did. He believes that if everyone joins together, then the cops can not touch them. He forgot about what is best for

The film begins with Tom Joad, released from prison after serving four years for murder, heading back to his family’s farm in Oklahoma. On his way he meets Jim Casy, a former preacher, and they travel together to the Joad farm only to find it deserted. They learn that all of the farmers in the area were being forced from their farms by the land owners. Tom is reunited with his family at his uncle 's farm, which they must also vacate the following day. The family of twelve, plus Casy, pack up their belongings into an old truck and head to California.

Tom, though, is a very complicated individual who turns out to be a tremendous asset and burden to the family. His parole causes the family an unneeded worry, but does get work that helps the family. He is the main protagonist for his family and the main follower of Jim Casy's philosophy on human nature. Jim is much more of a talker and idealist, and he actually puts what he preached into action. Jim Casy is frequently compared with Jesus Christ and his lifestyle of preaching and leading people. As well as sacrificing himself for Tom and the Joad family which upholds his common held belief. Tom carries Jim’s message after his death and aids others with it. The Joad family, along with Jim Casy, shows the benefit of people uniting in order to accomplish goals and this is a lesson that the reader can take away from this novel.

Tom Joad has many relationships within The Grapes of Wrath, but one that stood out the

It’s incredible to hear about so many people standing up for their rights and not just hiding in fear. There are multiple instances in The Grapes of Wrath where Tom insists on wanting to protest, especially after Jim Casy’s death. To this Ma tells Tom that if the family went on strike, the kids would surely starve to death and Rose of Sharon would not

The reader is meant to think this is bad but Tom seems to have no

He no longer wishes to conform to the rules they have placed and eventually breaks off from the rest of the

In the novel form of Grapes of Wrath, Steinbeck uses different literary elements, which are not present in the movie, to provide a deeper meaning of the story. One major element in the novel that is absent in the movie is Steinbeck's use of

We as Americans have seen our share of violence whether it is first hand, through the media, or in history books. We have seen the pain and struggle that these people must go through in order to survive. This novel, The Grapes of Wrath, relates to some of the many times of violence and cruelty that this America has seen.

Tom will go to great lengths to get money. When Tom chases Injun Joe so that he could steal the treasure Injun found, Injun,

First of all, The Grapes of Wrath capture an ideal picture about important historical events that

I ain't, aunt; it is all done. ”(pg. 17). It shows that Tom is lying, because he got other people to do it for him, and Tom got payed for other people

After tricking half the boys of the town to complete the whitewashing of a fence he was delegated to complete by himself, and getting them to pay him for the privilege, Tom said to himself that it was not such a hollow world, after all. He had discovered a great law of human action, without knowing it- namely, that in order to make a man or a boy covet a thing, it is only necessary to make the thing difficult to attain. (Twain,2) He then proudly presents the finished project to his aunt as if he had done it himself and eagerly awaits his reward. While receiving his shiny red reward, an apple, the thief in him could not resist the snatching of a doughnut when his aunt’s head was turned.