The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck

Inside Look

Like many farmers living in the Dust Bowl during the Great Depression, the Joads lose their land and pursue the prospect of a better life in California. With all their possessions loaded in a beat-up truck, they cross the country, experiencing prejudice, poverty, car trouble and frustration. Once in the "Promised Land" of California, they discover thousands like them living in migrant camps, jobless or making pitiful wages. The Joads struggle to stay together, stay alive and maintain a sense of hope and dignity as loss, hunger and unemployment threaten to break their spirits.

Did I Love It?

I grew up in Steinbeck Country (Salinas, CA). I’ve been to the John Steinbeck library numerous times, I’ve eaten at his Victorian home (after it was turned into a restaurant), and I always loved the thought of growing up in an area where a famous author lived. It’s sad to say I have actually never read any of his literature, until now. I dusted off the copy my grandma gave to me and I was engrossed in the book from the very beginning.

Reading this story has made me realize just how lucky my life has been. I am and have not been starving, forced off my land or made to work for practically nothing. But yet, thousands of people have gone through this and unfortunately is still a way of life for some people today.

I earnestly believe there are rich lessons to be learned from this book. What can we learn from a book written in 1939? The importance of having strong family bonds, having the determination to see things through, no matter how difficult the task, are just some of things to take to heart while reading this amazing story.

The Grapes of Wrath is full of descriptive narration, strong characters and vivid dialect. The women in the novel are strong willed and authentic. Steinbeck is amazing at drawing images by use of symbolism.

The Grapes of Wrath have has been banned and burned, but it has stood the test of time.

I simply could not put down this engaging story, some parts were a bit dry, but I just had to find out what happened to the Joads. I was disappointed that it ended so abruptly, I wanted to keep reading about this charismatic family.

Gracefully Yours,
Elle

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