The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck

The novel addresses problems that concerned the whole nation during the depression: Poverty Economic injustice The rights of workers vs. employers.

The novel also probes issues of religion and morality. Casey contemplates a universal spirit made up of all mankind. Putting financial gain before the common good is condemned.

Steinbeck was reviled as a “red” ( a socialist or communist). He was condemned by the corporate growers in California and the congressman from Oklahoma. The novel was called a radical document which attacks the very cornerstone of capitalism. But it was defended by Eleanor Roosevelt who praised the novel.

Point of view The story is told by a third person omniscient narrator. The point of view varies in tone and style according to the author’s purpose. A distinctive feature is the inclusion of sixteen chapters which provide social and historical background of the mid-1930s Depression era especially as it affected migrants like the Joads.

Setting Steinbeck sets his novel in the area where he grew up. The setting is an area of central California, specifically the Long Valley, which extends south of Salinas, Steinbeck’s hometown.

Setting (cont’d) One of Steinbeck’s major achievements is his remarkable description of the environment and nature’s effects on social history. He was ahead of his time in writing about the circumstances of migrant workers and small farmers fighting corporate farms and the financial establishment. This subject gained national press coverage in the 1970s. (i.e. Farm Aid)

Symbolism The family is a major symbol in the novel. It stands for the larger “family” of humanity. The land is symbolically equated with a sense of personal identity. The Joads suffer when they lose their Oklahoma farm because they lose a sense of identity. Throughout their journey and in California they struggle to rediscover that sense of identity.

Symbolism (cont’d) There is also a sequence of Judeo-Christian symbols throughout the novel. The Joads, like the the biblical Israelites, are a homeless, persecuted people searching for the promised land. Jim Casey (initials are J.C.) is a Christ figure who begins his mission after a period of solitude in the wilderness. In the end Casey offers himself as a sacrifice to save others. Tom is Casey’s disciple who in the end carries on Casey’s work. (Jesus had two disciples named Thomas.) Twelve Joads set out on the journey. There were twelve tribes of Israel (and Jesus had twelve disciples) Look for other examples of biblical symbolism as you read. All symbols express hope/renewal despite desperate circumstances.

Allusion The title of the novel is an allusion to the poem/hymn “The Battle Hymn of the Republic”. “Mine eyes have seen the glory Of the coming of the Lord He is trampling out the vintage Where the grapes of wrath are stored He has loosed the fateful lightening Of His terrible swift sword His truth is marching on"

Allusion (contd) That poem is itself an allusion to the old testament. In Isaiah 63:4, “…I looked, but there was no helper; I stared, but there was no one to sustain me; so my arm brought me victory, and my wrath sustained me. I trampled down people in my anger, I crushed them in my wrath…”

Characters Jim Casey – a former preacher who has given up both Christian fundamentalism and sexuality; he is ready for a new life dedicated to helping people like the Joads. Casey’s new religion is based on love and a belief in an all inclusive soul of humanity. Muley Graves – a stubborn man as his name suggests, Muley is blind and pessimistic. He refuses to leave Oklahoma in contrast to the essentially optimistic Joad’s who believe in possibilites of a new life.

Characters cont’d Al Joad – the third Joad son, he gains respect on the journey because of his mechanical knowledge. He helps to drive to California. He wants to leave the family to go on his own, but he stays out of duty and love. Grandma – unable to deal with new life and the loss of her husband, she dies just as the family crosses the Mojave desert. Her death overshadows the achievement of reaching Cali. and foreshadows troubles to come.

Characters cont’d Grandpa Joad – unwilling to face leaving the family farm in Oklahoma, he must be drugged so the family can begin their journey. He dies the first night of the trip. Ma Joad – the matriarch and foundation of the family. Brave and intelligent despite the fears she expresses, she is an indestructable woman who acts heroically for the family. She assumes authority to keep the family strong. She passes on her strength and wisdom to her daughter, Rose of Sharon. Noah Joad – the eldest Joad child. His head was misshapen at birth, but he is not mentally challenged. Noah loses hope and gives up struggle mid way to California.

Characters cont’d Pa Joad – Though he was the head of the clan in Oklahoma, he loses his position of authority to Ma and Al. Al’s mechanical knowledge serves family during the journey and final say ultimatley lies with Ma. Ruthie – the youngest daughter of the Joad’s. She is selfish, immature and shows a troubling cruelty. Her foolish remark causes Tom to flee the family. Ruthie’s character shows how poverty can make an innocent person hard.

Characters cont’d Tom Joad – killed a man in self defense and has just been released from prison. He says he does not regret his act, and would do it again in similar circumstance. At first interested only in survival and keeping his prison record a secret, Tom is transformed. He comes to believe in the possibility of humanity and in the universal spirit of mankind and shows this by commiting to organize the migrant workers of California. Uncle John – suffers guilt over his wife’s death, he blames all the family’s troubles on his sin.

Characters cont’d Winfield Joad – youngest of the Joad’s he is treated cruelly by his sister, Ruthie, but he retains his innocence. Unlike his grandparents who die when “uprooted”, he will most likely “take root” in California. He fulfills his mother’s statement that “people will go on.” Connie Rivers – Rose of Sharon’s young husband who is overwhelmed by his wife’s pregnancy and the troubles of the family. Described as “a hard worker who would make a good husband.” Connie talks of learning about technology to make a better life in California. But Connie’s values focus on financial gain, and he abandons his wife and the Joads.

Characters cont’d Rose of Sharon – although still a teen, she is already married and pregnant in the novel. Rose of Sharon is transformed during her pregnancy which coincides with the family’s journey. She shifts from daughter to mother, gains maturity and wisdom through personal hardship. At the end of the novel she stands ready to take her place with Ma as a pillar of the family. Her selflessness at the end of the novel points to the hope and survival of humanity.

Themes Hope – Despite hardship, deprivation and even death, the mood of the novel is optimistic. Hope comes from a journey that leads to enlightenment. The Joad’s begin their long journey seeking “the good life”, the American dream, but that is not all they seek. In fact, those who stick to that narrow focus leave the family along the way. Those who stick it out find that while they hope for a better life, they have found a better way of life and a larger understanding of the world.

Themes cont’d Class Conflict – the novel demonstrates the conflict between impoverished migrants and financially secure business people. The hardships of the dispossessed are made personal and individual in the story of the Joads. Religious fanaticism – is condemned in the novel. Casey abandons organized religion which denies life (especially sexuality) and seeks an understanding of life and humanity that religion cannot offer.

Themes cont’d Commitment – Steinbeck develops the theme of social commitment. Jim Casey and later Tom make Christ-like sacrifices for their commitment to social justice (in organizing the migrant workers). Both express a belief in a mystical connection between all people that demands this commitment.