The Grapes of Wrath

1. A drought hits Oklahoma and forces many of its natives to migrate to California in order to find work. The dust bowl destroyed families crops and homes. Tom Joad is traveling to his families home in Oklahoma. When he arrives, the land is abandoned. His family left in search of work. Tom meets up with them and joins them in their expedition. The Joad family quickly realizes this isn't going to be easy. Many families are in their same situation and desperate for work. With all the migrants, there is little work available by the time the family arrives in california. Some of the family members find work on a peach orchard and work for low wages.


2. The central theme in the novel is the pursuit of the "American dream". The dust bowl destroys almost everything that families had worked for. They move to California to get some work and pursue the 'American dream."

3. John Steinbach's tone is depressing throughout the novel. This is expressed through the depressing events he describes. Families leaving behind their animals and other belongings in the desperate times. The novel takes place in the Great Depression after all.

4. Symbolism is used in this novel through the sun. The sun has a violent presence. "Their faces were shining with sunburn they could not escape." The sun provided a negative force in which no one could escape. Roads also contribute to symbolism in the novel. The novel starts with Tom Joad walking along a road back home. A road is what allows thousands of family to travel to California. The road therefore contributes to their misery in California. But at the same time it provided hope by allowing the families to pursue the "American Dream."
Allegory- "Joad reached forward and crushed its hard skull-like head with his fingers, and he let it into the wind stream out the window" the quote shows how humans violently treat insects, having no respect for them. Tom Joad killing the grasshopper shows a similarity in the way humans treat insects and the way landowners treat tenant farmers. The farmers are given no respect, just like the insect.