The Grapes of Wrath - Question 5

Grapes of Wrath focuses on an era widely known in American history. The Great Depression. The novel exhibits a migrant family’s struggle to survive during times of poverty, hardship, and hunger. The Joads represent the thousands of families of the time who had to make do with what little money they had to live on and the challenges the economy threw at them.

People in today’s society think we have it bad economically now. Compared to what the families of the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl endured in their lives, it is like we live in a paradise. Each year it seems I learn a thing or two about the 1930’s. Never before was I able to grasp the extent to which people were literally dying and struggling to live during that time period. The Joads, like countless other migrant families, were forced to move west in order to find work. Steinbeck demonstrates through various characters the adversity millions are forced to tolerate because of the hard economic times.

Social statues meant a lot to people (mostly the upper class) during the Great Depression, and unfortunately, innocent people were forced to pay the price (literally) for being poor. Readers are able to understand the social issues countless families had to live with through the Joads. They are treated unfairly because they have no money. Because they are desperate and in need of a car to buy, the Joads are forced to pay the high, unfair prices from corrupt salesmen no matter what. “Owners with rolled-up sleeves. Salesmen, neat, deadly, small intent eyes watching for weakness,” (Steinbeck 83). Here Steinbeck demonstrates how the rich, upper class used car lot owner takes advantage of the poor Joads.

Born and raised America, I am always proud to say that I live in a country today where freedom rings and the pursuit of happiness is at its finest. Unfortunately, I cannot say many people had that same mindset back in the 1930’s. The behavior of the time period was despicable on some people’s part, and for families like the Joads, their actions were brave and patient. Once again the rich, upper class citizens (not all of them, mind you) take advantage of the rough times. They behave as if all the money in the world is going out of style by cheating the poor. To them, it is not about the pursuit of happiness nor the freedom enjoyed by the hard working citizens of the country. The Joads on the other hand, handle the hard times with strength and perseverance. Ma Joad keeps the families spirits lifted so that they can make it to California to start a life worth living again.

Grapes of Wrath symbolizes something more than just a book. It symbolizes the destitution America faced when times were hard and the going was rough. This is significant for readers because it allows them to grasp an understanding of what families had to go through. I have always been told stories by my mom about when she was a little girl and she had to walk a mile in the snow everyday (even in the summertime apparently) to catch the bus for school. Those kinds of bedtime stories never really made me appreciate what I have, but after reading this inspiring novel, I am definitely left with a sense of admiration for past generations and the hardship they endured.

Steinbeck, John. The Grapes of Wrath. New York: Penguin, 2006. Print.