Classified as an American Realist novel, this book illustrates what life was like in the Great Depression. From having to live without food or money, to chasing the American Dream, this book demonstrates the road traveled to survive. The characters depict an “average” person who lost everything during the Great Depression , an economic disaster that was plaguing America in the 1930s, and allows the reader to see the difference between those with money and power and those without it. Winning the Pulitzer Prize in the 1940’s shortly after it was published, this book has been shocking readers from the day it was published.
The American Dream
When times became difficult for the Joads, a family from Oklahoma, they decided to follow the rumors of a better life out in California. Ready to flee the dust bowl, they start to embark on their path to a new life. The way their journey is written is highly impactful and outlines a very difficult time for Americans.
This family is a working family, and in a slightly lower class than the majority of the people in California. Coming to California as immigrant workers, the Joads were warned about the living conditions and the social pressure of being an immigrant worker. Labeled as immigrants even though they themselves were from the United States, they were viewed as such because they were immigrating to California when the rest of the states was in hard times.
Having to face injustice after injustice, along with changing social norms and interactions, the Joads cling on to each other in pursuit of their American Dream out in California. This book is not a happy and uplifting book about the American Dream but more of a depressing, shocking and highly realistic book that captures what life was like in America during the 1930s. Sticking true to the realities of life as a working class citizen, the book sugar coats nothing.
“Got guards ever’place to keep folks out. Rides aroun’ in a bullet-proof car. I seen pitchers of him. Fat, sof’ fella with little mean eyes an’ a mouth like an ass-hole.”
As depressing as it may be, this book is praised for many reasons. Historically it reminds us what life was like during these difficult times. It also shows the reader the true character of humanity. From the rich who hoard the riches, to the poor that will always find a way to help someone out if they can.
…and in the eyes of the people there is the failure; and in the eyes of the hungry there is a growing wrath. In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage.
Steinbeck went to immigrant camps in order to interview and capture their story as realistic as possible. His hope was to illustrate the struggle to survive and chase the American Dream. By writing their story in a sympathetic and raw way, he also depicts that the other side of humanity was ignorant to the struggles of some, and this is where the fear and the distrust came from. By demonstrating this, he showed the root of the problem and offered a way to show compassion.
Overall I think this book is worth reading. It was required reading when I was in high school, and it is a book I recommend to people when they ask me for American Literature. This book really showcases the true American Dream for people in America and how difficult it was to actually go about achieving it. Using slang, grammar and phrases local to the time period, the social classes, and the depression itself, this book holds up a unique perspective of American culture.
The Review
Grapes of Wrath
An American Realist book that encapsulates the reality of pursuing the American Dream in order to survive.
PROS
- Realistic to time period
- Great writing
- Historical re-telling of what life would have been like
CONS
- Harsh reality of American Dream
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