Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck Mini-Review

Every American should read this book. Everyone who cares about people, and believe that society should make efforts to help those that most need it, should read this book. Words to describe: - Epic - Sad - Liberal The story of the Joads is a story of America at the time, The Depression, The Dust Bowl. Corporate farming. This family is forced to relocate, to go to a 'promised land' in California where there are jobs. It's a tough road, and Nothing truly good happens to this family, but a lot of the situations, the causes, the impacts, were real, were challenges that had to be faced. 1. Man’s Inhumanity to Man - Machines and Capitalism Ruling of the Modern Man The primary source of suffering in the novel is not nature (the drought) but the cruelty of fellow humans. Steinbeck highlights how economic systems allow the powerful to exploit the desperate. The "Bank Monster": The banks are described as machines that must "breathe" profit, leading them to heartlessly evict families from land they have farmed for generations. Labor Exploitation: Once in California, the migrants are treated as "Okies"—a derogatory term used to dehumanize them and justify paying starvation wages. 2. The Power of Community and "The Oversoul" A major philosophical shift occurs as the characters move from an "I" mentality to a "We" mentality. From Family to Humanity: At the start, Ma Joad is obsessed with keeping her biological family together. By the end, she realizes that "anybody" is her family. Jim Casy’s Philosophy: The ex-preacher Casy posits that there is no individual soul, only "one big soul" that everyone belongs to. This justifies collective action and labor unions; if one person is hurt, the whole "soul" is hurt. 3. Dignity, Honor, and "The Grapes of Wrath" The title of the novel refers to the growing anger of the oppressed. Steinbeck argues that as long as the migrants remain angry, they maintain their dignity. Wrath as Resilience: Wrath is presented as a positive force because it prevents the migrants from becoming broken or submissive. It is the "fermenting" energy that precedes social change. Self-Respect: Despite their poverty, the Joads refuse to beg. They insist on working for what they get, viewing their labor as a source of pride. 4. The Transformation of Gender Roles As the traditional patriarchal structure of the family collapses under economic pressure, the "family's power" shifts. Ma Joad as the Pillar: Pa Joad becomes increasingly broken and passive as he loses his role as the provider. Ma Joad steps into the leadership vacuum, becoming the "citadel" of the family and making the hard decisions necessary for survival. 5. The Multiplicity of Altruism vs. Selfishness Steinbeck frequently contrasts the predatory nature of "business" with the instinctive generosity of the poor. The Poor Helping the Poor: The most profound acts of kindness come from those who have the least. This culminates in the famous final scene where Rose of Sharon, after losing her own baby, breastfeeds a starving stranger to keep him alive.