When The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck was published in 1939 the U.S. was slowly recovering from one of the worst economic depressions in its history; many people lived in poverty after losing their businesses, homes, farms, etc. One part of the country was hit rather hard by this depression, an area known as the Dust Bowl; many farmers either abandoned or were forced off their farms and went west to find work. The Grapes of Wrath follows one family, the Joads, migrating west in search of work and a home. However, their journey to California is not easy; they travel for weeks in a broken-down truck with very little money, losing a few family members along the way. Once they get to California they find out it is nothing similar to how they
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It is an ideology of selflessness and generosity to counteract greed and selfishness that started the depression. It is indirectly stated first through Pastor Jim Casy when he preaches that every person’s soul is part of one collective entity working towards a single goal. Ma Joad displays this ideology several times; a few examples are when she allows Jim Casey to travel west with the family even though they are already low on room and supplies. She is also very generous; she gives their last bit of stew to a few starving children even though that means her and her family do not get as much to eat. These are acts of kindness and love that were needed in a time like this. There are also times when helping others benefits the Joads; for instance when Al and Tom Joad help a man named Floyd fix his truck Floyd lets them know places they can find work. Overall, it is seen as a positive, altruistic solution that can benefit both …show more content…
Many people in the same situation as the Joads would likely not be so generous and trusting. Certainly many would like to think they would, but they would be concerned with helping themselves and their own families before anyone else. There would be moments where people would come together to help each other, but not in such a way that it would be a widespread ease on the depression. Steinbeck does take a realistic approach to it; there are people who resent the Joads’ help. One instance is how the mother of one of the children Ma Joad fed at the camp. That woman was prideful and embarrassed to receive help from a stranger, and many people would likely be similar to her, uncomfortable with accepting help. Also, not everyone is willing to be so selfless and sacrifice food or money to help another person. For example, the tractor driver was willing to bulldoze over family friends’ homes and take their jobs just to feed his own family. These are more likely scenarios in a situation where everyone is struggling to survive. The Grapes of Wrath gives an idea about what the lives were like for the people who migrated west from the Dust Bowl. They lost homes and families, were taken advantage of, and lived in awful conditions. Steinbeck blames unregulated corporations and excessive greed as the cause of the depression.
It is an ideology of selflessness and generosity to counteract greed and selfishness that started the depression. It is indirectly stated first through Pastor Jim Casy when he preaches that every person’s soul is part of one collective entity working towards a single goal. Ma Joad displays this ideology several times; a few examples are when she allows Jim Casey to travel west with the family even though they are already low on room and supplies. She is also very generous; she gives their last bit of stew to a few starving children even though that means her and her family do not get as much to eat. These are acts of kindness and love that were needed in a time like this. There are also times when helping others benefits the Joads; for instance when Al and Tom Joad help a man named Floyd fix his truck Floyd lets them know places they can find work. Overall, it is seen as a positive, altruistic solution that can benefit both …show more content…
Many people in the same situation as the Joads would likely not be so generous and trusting. Certainly many would like to think they would, but they would be concerned with helping themselves and their own families before anyone else. There would be moments where people would come together to help each other, but not in such a way that it would be a widespread ease on the depression. Steinbeck does take a realistic approach to it; there are people who resent the Joads’ help. One instance is how the mother of one of the children Ma Joad fed at the camp. That woman was prideful and embarrassed to receive help from a stranger, and many people would likely be similar to her, uncomfortable with accepting help. Also, not everyone is willing to be so selfless and sacrifice food or money to help another person. For example, the tractor driver was willing to bulldoze over family friends’ homes and take their jobs just to feed his own family. These are more likely scenarios in a situation where everyone is struggling to survive. The Grapes of Wrath gives an idea about what the lives were like for the people who migrated west from the Dust Bowl. They lost homes and families, were taken advantage of, and lived in awful conditions. Steinbeck blames unregulated corporations and excessive greed as the cause of the depression.