THE GRAPES OF WRATH, John Steinbeck

The novel tells the story of the Joads, a family of farmers in the American state of Oklahoma, who face the total loss of their farm and possessions caused by the giant dust storms of the early 1930’s. As they get pushed out of their land by powerful companies, the family decides to emigrate to California at the West Coast of the United States, where they seek to overcome poverty, hunger, and desperation. Fascinated by the stories of California as a rich and plentiful land, the Joads start their difficult journey west, accompanied by the wise former preacher Jim Casy. On their way they encounter other migrants, who share their dreams or who are on their way back home – disappointed by the reality they found in California. While the family seems to slowly fall apart, their hope for a better future persists. When the Joads arrive in the West, nothing seems to be like in the stories they have heard: the people discriminate the starving farmers, want to push them out of their land, or seek to exploit them as cheap laborers. As the immigrants try to organize themselves in unions, the conflict escalates and the Joad family has to make a difficult decision.

In my opinion, John Steinbeck’s novel is a masterpiece of modern American literature, which illustrates the hardships of the common people hit by the Great Depression. In a time of turmoil and violence, the bounds within the family and the community become more important than ever. One of the greatest strengths of the book are the powerful themes, like the „movement from I to We“, which means that the people have to overcome their own selfishness to achieve a goal as a community. I love the novel as well for its beautiful language and Steinbeck’s style, which includes countless powerful images and scenes. 

Wherever they’s a fight so hungry people can eat, I’ll be there. Wherever they’s a cop beatin’ up a guy, I’ll be there. If Casy knowed, why, I’ll be in the way guys yell when they’re mad an’—I’ll be in the way kids laugh when they’re hungry n’ they know supper’s ready. An’ when our folks eat the stuff they raise an’ live in the houses they build—why, I’ll be there. See? God, I’m talkin’ like Casy. Comes of thinkin’ about him so much. Seems like I can see him sometimes.