The Grapes of Wrath: John Steinbeck Centennial Edition (1902-2002)

Rating:
Summary: Significant book in American history
Review: The Grapes of Wrath, I remember distinctly having to read in high school, and I hated it. Now, years later, I sat down and read it again, and had so much more of an appreciation for the book and the depth at which John Steinbeck was getting to in his portrayal of the Joads' trip to California in search of the American Dream.

The story has both allegorical as well as literal elements to it. Set during the depression in the 1930s, it is the tale of the migrant farm workers from Oklahoma who leave the South for a chance at better job opportunities and life in the West. Specifically, we follow the path of the Joad family in their journey, and they use a rickety old truck that can barely fit the entire family to head westward. There are some from the community who refuse to go because of their principles, namely Grandpa Joad, who holds strongly to his belief that leaving Oklahoma is admitting defeat. Tom Joad, who recently got out of jail, and Jim Casy, a former preacher, join the family on their way west. Along the way, the Joads have several mishaps and disasters, and the family tries to stay together and maintain their hope that once they get there, everything will work out for the better.

One of the more interesting characters in the novel is that of Jim Casy. He continually tells the family that he is no preacher when they want him to recite some type of prayer for them, yet, despite his protests, his role to the family and significance in the book is critical to their faith, as he represents a "moral" voice in the book. He is also responsible for the transformation of Tom Joad, the book's protagonist, who slowly begins to look at life from different viewpoints after meeting the preacher, and, by the end of the book, has changed his outlook.

Among one of the great aspect of the novel is Steinbeck's descriptions of 1930s California. Some may think that this is tedious to read in a novel, as we have many chapters sole devoted to descriptions of the Central Valley and its scenery, as well as the situations of the migrant workers, but it seems to me an essential tool in establishing the context from which this novel was written. In effect, it really paints a picture of what life was like for many who made the trip west, and their difficulties along the way.

Not only is the novel a testament to the situation of the migrants in the 30s, but it depicts and indirectly criticizes man's inhumanity towards others in times of need. This is represented in the plight of the Joads, who represent a microcosm of a family in need during this time. These families get shuffled around from place to place, and try to keep their dignity and hopes up despite the lack of compassion from some of the landowners.

I'd say that, if you have to read this in high school and don't like it, try it again a few years later down the line. There is also a movie version of this book, with Henry Fonda, from the 1940s, an excellent film that is quite faithful to the book.


Rating:
Summary: What more can I add?
Review: "The Grapes of Wrath" tells us the story of the Joad family, evicted from Oklahoma by The Dust Bowl and its poverty, as they seek a Better Life in the Land of Dreams (California). The book is very well-summarized in the editorial and other customer reviews, and I will spare you a recapping of what is already available in abundance.


When I read "The Grapes of Wrath" at age twelve, I came away feeling two things: Life could be very, very hard; people can survive anyway, without sacrificing their dignity or decency. I needed to know those things, even at twelve, as junior high school handed me several potentially-daunting challenges. I survived, keeping the Joad family in mind, to lend me perspective. In the decades since then, Life has handed me numerous challenges, including two that could shake anyone's confidence. During those darkest of times, I thought of the Joad family, and I found a way to go on.


John Steinbeck is my favorite literary author. His style was as clean and crisp as Hemingway's, and as loaded with meaning and symbolism as Faulkner's. While the Joad family was fictional, they are part of the American myth, the mindset that has helped this nation find its way through very dark times, and that has helped America also know when to rejoice.


"The Grapes of Wrath" is the most memorable novel that I have read, and I doubt that any will ever pass it, at least for me.