The Grapes Of Wrath Literary Analysis

The ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle once stated, “Plot ought to be constructed that even without the aid of the eye, he who hears the tale told will thrill with horror and melt with pity (Aristotle).” Aristotle argues that the inner structure of a tragedy is what allows the reader to experience deep feelings as the story unfolds. Although Aristotle’s comments were made 2,300 years ago, his ideas can be used to interpret modern literature, such as John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath. Throughout the narrative chapters of this American tragedy, Steinbeck describes the harsh socioeconomic conditions the fictional Joad family must live through in Oklahoma’s Dust Bowl during the Great Depression. What makes The Grapes of Wrath such a moving story, however, is that Steinbeck uses alternating chapters to describe the hardships of farming tenants in a more generalized, broad manner. Steinbeck’s technique of “piling detail …show more content…
Steinbeck’s focused plot, believable characters and his use of intercalary and narrative chapters allow him to successfully create the “fear and pity” Aristotle describes.
Throughout Poetics, Aristotle argues that a tragedy, “should be single in its issue” (Aristotle), and focus on a clear and cohesive story line. Steinbeck’s desire to inform the country of the suffering of tenant farmers during the Great Depression was his inspiration for writing The Grapes of Wrath. In the first eleven chapters of his story, the author effectively sets the scene for his tragedy and lets the reader get to know the Joad family, who are plowed off their land and forced to migrate to California to earn a