Literary Paper Of The Grapes Of Wrath By Steinbeck
...books but a great classic is one titled The
Grapes of Wrath. This is a story of a family called the Joads, and a tale of a
courageous family who sought security and family unity.
In my paper I will examine the different ways the Joads tried to keep
united whether just within their immediate family or eventually with all the
others who shared the same struggles and sufferings.
Steinbeck's dialogue and description's of the dusty roads, the men
squatting in the dirt drawing pictures while making major decisions, the way in
which they traveled all puts you right into the middle of the family. One
becomes aware and wants to be a part of there unity and their long for security.
Steinbeck's use of the characters dialect is astoundingly excellent and
unmistakenly realistic of the Joad's culture. Without this dialogue, it would
not be as intense and vivid.
J. Homer Caskey, in "Letters to the Editor" says,
"Steinbeck's knowledge of the forces which hold
a family together and the forces which cause it
to disintegrate. He understands that family
councils are an important part of the lives of
the Joads."
The major theme is the struggle and survival of the Joad family from the
time they lost their home, to the unity they felt and soon were a part of a
whole community, one big family, and one big soul. This theme is particularly
exemplified by Ma Joad, who played a major part.
The Joads encountered a constant struggle to keep the family going and
intact. When Ma knew that gramma Joad was dying she told her that there was
nothing she could do, that the family needed to get across the desert that night.
It was not until they were...
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