The Grapes of Wrath 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.

This quote explains how the Joads work. They work each of their jobs as hard as they can and

Franklin D. Roosevelt came from a wealthy family and was a distant cousin of Teddy Roosevelt (Farless). Many of the American voters had confidence in Franklin D. Roosevelt (“Chapter 28”). Franklin D. Roosevelt told the American people that he would make a new deal for them (“Chapter 28”). He also promised relief for the unemployment and that he would address the problems of businesses (Farless). Although he seemed like a man that made his own decisions, Franklin D. Roosevelt relied

“At the heart of every immigrant’s experience is a dream- a vision of hope that is embodied in his or her destination” (Gladstein 685). In the novel, The Grapes of Wrath the migrants imagined the absolute aspects of living care free to the west. However, everything changed once they traveled to the west, realizing the simple concept turned into hazardous problems. John Steinback emphasized the American dream of economic stability and truculent situations towards the Joads family's point of view. Throughout the immigration, the Joads family goes through constant and unpredictable changes in employment, and their eventual failure to find success in California. The novel has been called by critics "a celebration of the human spirit", in several ways it is true due to the aspects of human nature. Despite the hazardous actions people can do, it is important to realize everything around us.

This quote really explains the topic in this story because as you read, you notice his entire life situation and how he came about of his careers and his life after. Everything that motivated him and pushed him, the people who believed in him all had part of the topic.

In the novel, The Grapes of Wrath, John Steinbeck depicts the stories of migrant families during the Dust Bowl, where dust covered plantations, resulting in barren fields with incapabilities to grow crops. Due to barren lands, landowners forced the farmers off the fields, which causes the farmers to lose all of the reasons to stay. Therefore, the farmers set out onto a new journey that will hopefully lead them to a place where life can restart. However, this journey is not a perfectly smooth path; on the journey, the farmers face various adversities. Out of the countless families, John Steinbeck highlights the Joad family, who suffers through numerous misfortunes on the way West, toward California. Through the Joad family, Steinbeck portrays the novel as a form of social protest by emphasizing the unjust treatments the families receive , the deterioration of the false allusions the families hold of the American Dream, and by suggesting a future revolt of the working class.

Roosevelt. This World War One navy veteran saw the troubles that the United States was going through, (document 5) and promised a ‘New Deal’. During his run in office, he had three goals: Relief for the unemployed, repair the economy, and reforms to prevent another depression (the three R’s). The first thing Roosevelt did was fix the banking system. He knew that without stable banks, money would not be able to start flowing in the economy anymore. He ordered and ‘Bank Holiday’ and went through to all the banks making sure they were financially stable, and shut down the ones that were not. The nation soon had faith in Roosevelt and quickly saw brighter days ahead. Roosevelt provided relief for the unemployed through the Civilian Conservation Corps, and the Works Progress Administration. Both hired unemployed civilians to work building parks, playgrounds, hospitals, schools, etc. Roosevelt also provided recovery to the industry and farmers. He passed acts such as the National Industrial Recovery Act, and the Agricultural Adjustment Act. He paid farmers to start planting a variety of crop instead of competing in prices for the same product. He also provided long-term reforms and has so far prevented another depression through acts such as the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and the Social Security

As the many families camp together, proximity combined with necessity breaks down barriers of relation, and miniature societies form with there own unwritten rules and expectations. It is in one of these "Hoovervilles" that the Joads have a wicked confrontation with a vigilant police officer. A woman is shot, Tom and Floyd Knowles nearly become fugitives, and Jim Casey is arrested and thus removed from both the family and society. This sacrificing of self for the good of the group strengthens the bonds between the migrants in the Hooverville, and Casey's experience with fellow inmates in prison gives him an important realization about the power of organized protest. Incidentally, these terrible losses at the Hooverville drive the Joads in fear to what will turn out to be a far better place, and the knowledge that there are others in the same situation who will help lends unifying strength to the family and other migrants.

Thesis: Hoovervilles were named after President Herbert Hoover because the American people felt he was responsible for the Great Depression, although the irresponsibility of brokers, bankers, and other people in power contributed greatly.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt was the 32nd president of the United States. He was elected during the Great Depression, the largest and most severe depression experienced by the industrialized Western world. Throughout his speech, FDR states what he believes must be done to help the economy and the people. He states, “Our greatest primary task is to put people to work” (pg. 2) He also reassures the people that “they have not failed” (pg. 5). This confidence in the face of great adversity helped FDR to win the election and the faith of the people. Not only did he lead the people through the worst depression of our time, but he played a key role in World War II. His willingness to do what must be done endeared him to many people and helped to make him the longest serving president in our nation’s history.

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.

When Tom gets in trouble with a officer in a Hooverville, Casey says it’s his fault and he is arrested instead of Tom. If Tom had been arrested he would have been sent back to prison for three years. Tom has always looked up to Casey and he is even more grateful for Casey’s actions.

The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck uses numerous literary techniques to advocate for change in the social and political attitudes of the Dust Bowl era. Simile, personification, and imagery are among the many devices that add to the novel’s ability to influence the audience’s views. Moreover, through his use of detail, Steinbeck is able to develop a strong bond between the reader and the Joad clan. This bond that is created evokes empathy from the audience towards the Joads as they face numerous challenges along their journey. The chapters go between the Joad’s story and a broad perspective of the Dust Bowl’s effect on the lives of Mid-western farmers in which Steinbeck illustrates dust storms devastating the land, banks evicting tenant

In Steinbeck's novel, The Grapes of Wrath, he describes the struggle of the small farmer and farmworker. The principal characters define quiet dignity and courage in their struggle to survive and in the caring for their loved ones. Through this novel, Steinbeck displays his respect for all the poor and oppressed of our world.

The Dust Bowl, a series of severe dust storms in the 1930’s, left the southern plains of the United States as a wasteland. The storms occurred due to the lack of use of dryland farming techniques to prevent wind erosion. Powerful winds would pick up loose soil and carry the sediment around the countryside. Called “black blizzard” or “black rollers”, these storms had the potential to black out the sky completely. Due to the inability to grow and sell crops, banks evicted families and foreclosed their properties, leaving them homeless and without an income. The author of The Grapes of Wrath, John Steinbeck, wrote his American realist novel to allow readers to understand the experiences of the migrants from the Dust Bowl era. Not many