Grapes of WrathGrapes of Wrath

By John By John SteinbeckSteinbeck

John SteinbeckJohn Steinbeck One of The Great American One of The Great American Writers of the 20Writers of the 20thth Century Century

A Look at the AuthorA Look at the Author Born February 27Born February 27thth in 1902 in Salinas, California, in 1902 in Salinas, California, John was the third of four children, and the only son.John was the third of four children, and the only son.

During his childhood, Steinbeck During his childhood, Steinbeck learned to appreciate his surroundings, learned to appreciate his surroundings, and loved the Salinas countryside and and loved the Salinas countryside and the nearby Pacific Ocean; it would be the nearby Pacific Ocean; it would be this appreciation that would later come this appreciation that would later come out in his writing.out in his writing.

Steinbeck worked during his summers as a hired Steinbeck worked during his summers as a hired hand in nearby ranches.hand in nearby ranches.

The Fields of Salinas, CaliforniaThe Fields of Salinas, California

The Beauty of SalinasThe Beauty of Salinas

Rich, fertile soilRich, fertile soil

At the age of 14 he decided to be a writer At the age of 14 he decided to be a writer and spent a lot of time writing in his room.and spent a lot of time writing in his room.

In high school, Steinbeck did well in English In high school, Steinbeck did well in English and edited the school yearbook.and edited the school yearbook.

From 1919-1925 Steinbeck attended Stanford From 1919-1925 Steinbeck attended Stanford University to please his parents, but only chose University to please his parents, but only chose courses that interested him, classical and British courses that interested him, classical and British Literature, writing courses, and an odd science Literature, writing courses, and an odd science course.course.

However, Steinbeck did not receive a degree However, Steinbeck did not receive a degree because he would drop in and out of school, because he would drop in and out of school, sometimes to work with migrant workers and sometimes to work with migrant workers and bindlestiffs on California ranches.bindlestiffs on California ranches.

What’s a Bindlestiff?What’s a Bindlestiff?

A hobo, especially one who carries a bedroll.

During the late 1920s and 1930s, he During the late 1920s and 1930s, he concentrated on writing and wrote several novels concentrated on writing and wrote several novels set in California.set in California.

Steinbeck gained Steinbeck gained great success bygreat success byreaders and critics.readers and critics.

In 1929, he published his first novel, In 1929, he published his first novel, Cup of GoldCup of Gold

In 1930, Steinbeck married Carol Henning, and theyIn 1930, Steinbeck married Carol Henning, and theymoved into his family’s home. His father helped moved into his family’s home. His father helped

support support the struggling couple, but unfortunately, they divorced the struggling couple, but unfortunately, they divorced

in in 1942.1942.

In 1935, he won his first literary prize,In 1935, he won his first literary prize,Commonwealth Club of California Commonwealth Club of California Gold Medal for Best Novel by a Gold Medal for Best Novel by a Californian for his novel, Californian for his novel, Tortilla Flat.Tortilla Flat.

In 1936, In 1936, Of Mice and Men Of Mice and Men was published, was published, and was so widely accepted that Steinbeck and was so widely accepted that Steinbeck began a book tour that led him to Europe.began a book tour that led him to Europe.

In 1939, In 1939, The Grapes of WrathThe Grapes of Wrath was published and became an was published and became an instant best-seller; in 1940 it was instant best-seller; in 1940 it was awarded the Pulitzer Prize, one awarded the Pulitzer Prize, one of the most prestigious literary of the most prestigious literary awards in the world.awards in the world.

This novel, just like This novel, just like Of Mice and MenOf Mice and Men, , stemmed from his experience working stemmed from his experience working among migrant workers. among migrant workers.

Steinbeck’s experiences in the fieldsSteinbeck’s experiences in the fields researching migrant workers led him to researching migrant workers led him to have more compassion for these workers,have more compassion for these workers,and stirred up his concern for social and stirred up his concern for social justicejustice..

In 1943 he married Gwendolyn In 1943 he married Gwendolyn Conger who would father him two Conger who would father him two sons before their divorce in 1948.sons before their divorce in 1948.

In 1943 Steinbeck In 1943 Steinbeck worked as a war corre-worked as a war corre-spondent for the New spondent for the New York newspaper,York newspaper, Herald Herald Tribune.Tribune.

While living in Monterey, While living in Monterey, California, Steinbeck said that he California, Steinbeck said that he felt unwelcome as no one would felt unwelcome as no one would rent him an office for writing, and rent him an office for writing, and he was harassed when trying to he was harassed when trying to get fuel and wood from a local get fuel and wood from a local wartime rations board.  wartime rations board. 

Steinbeck wrote that his old Steinbeck wrote that his old friends did not want to be around friends did not want to be around him, partly because of his works, him, partly because of his works, and partly because he was so and partly because he was so successful: successful: “This isn't my country “This isn't my country anymore. And it won't be until I anymore. And it won't be until I am dead. It makes me very sad.”am dead. It makes me very sad.” He left Monterey the next year He left Monterey the next year and moved to New York.and moved to New York.

In 1948 he moved back to Monterey. A In 1948 he moved back to Monterey. A year later he met Elaine Scott, who in year later he met Elaine Scott, who in 1950 became his third wife.1950 became his third wife.

Although he continued to write and Although he continued to write and publish, he never felt at ease in his life, publish, he never felt at ease in his life, and once wrote to an aspiring writer from and once wrote to an aspiring writer from Salinas: Salinas:

““Don't think for a moment that you Don't think for a moment that you will ever be forgiven for being what they will ever be forgiven for being what they call ‘different.’ You won’t! I still have not call ‘different.’ You won’t! I still have not been forgiven. Only when I am delivered in been forgiven. Only when I am delivered in a pine box will I be considered ‘safe.’ After a pine box will I be considered ‘safe.’ After I had written the Grapes of Wrath the I had written the Grapes of Wrath the librarians at the Salinas Public Library, librarians at the Salinas Public Library, who had known my folks remarked that is who had known my folks remarked that is was lucky my parents were dead so that was lucky my parents were dead so that they did not have to suffer this shame.”  they did not have to suffer this shame.” 

One of Steinbeck’s two sons fought in the One of Steinbeck’s two sons fought in the Vietnam War, while Steinbeck himself was Vietnam War, while Steinbeck himself was in Asia covering the war for in Asia covering the war for NewsdayNewsday, a , a Long Island newspaper. Long Island newspaper.

Steinbeck lost a number of friends Steinbeck lost a number of friends during the anti-war movement due to during the anti-war movement due to his open support of the war and his open support of the war and America’s involvement.America’s involvement.

Steinbeck’s last two Steinbeck’s last two books were nonfiction.books were nonfiction.

Travels with Charley in Travels with Charley in Search of AmericaSearch of America was was an account of his trip an account of his trip from Maine to from Maine to California with his California with his poodle, Charley.poodle, Charley.

His final book, His final book, America and the America and the Americans,Americans, was about was about his belief that in time, his belief that in time, America would once America would once again feel united.again feel united.

John Steinbeck died on December 20, 1968, at John Steinbeck died on December 20, 1968, at his apartment in New York City.his apartment in New York City.

His wife took him home to Salinas to be buried His wife took him home to Salinas to be buried near the land that he spent his life writing near the land that he spent his life writing about.about.

Mural overlooking The Mural overlooking The National Steinbeck Center in National Steinbeck Center in

SalinasSalinas

Steinbeck’s Social PhilosphiesSteinbeck’s Social Philosphiesseen in seen in Grapes of WrathGrapes of Wrath

Emersonian concept of the OversoulEmersonian concept of the Oversoul– All person’s souls are really just part of All person’s souls are really just part of

one big soulone big soul– The idea that what we do is for the The idea that what we do is for the

greater good of the group (not the greater good of the group (not the individual)individual)

Jeffersonian agrarianismJeffersonian agrarianism– Identification of humankind with soil is Identification of humankind with soil is

necessary for continuation of life cyclenecessary for continuation of life cycle

California in the 1930sCalifornia in the 1930s

Why Migrant Workers?Why Migrant Workers?

Before technology Before technology created farm created farm machinery, humans machinery, humans had to do a lot of the had to do a lot of the farm work by hand.farm work by hand.

Between the 1880s and Between the 1880s and the 1930s, thousands the 1930s, thousands of men would travel the of men would travel the countryside in search countryside in search of work.of work.

Such work included the Such work included the harvesting of wheat harvesting of wheat and barley.and barley.

Migrant WorkersMigrant Workers These workers would earn These workers would earn

$2.50 or $3.00 a day, plus $2.50 or $3.00 a day, plus food and shelter.food and shelter.

During the 1930s, the During the 1930s, the unemployment rate was unemployment rate was high in the U.S., and with so high in the U.S., and with so many men searching for many men searching for work, agencies were set up work, agencies were set up to send farm workers to to send farm workers to where they were needed.where they were needed.

In the novel, George and In the novel, George and Lennie (the two main Lennie (the two main characters) were given work characters) were given work cards from Murray and cards from Murray and Ready’s, which was one of Ready’s, which was one of the farm work agencies.the farm work agencies.

Chasing the American DreamChasing the American Dream

““Give me your tired, your Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of the wretched refuse of your teeming shore.your teeming shore.

Send these, the homeless, Send these, the homeless, tempest tost to me,tempest tost to me,

I lift my lamp beside the I lift my lamp beside the golden door.”golden door.”

( ( Emma Lazarus)Emma Lazarus)

Written on the base of the Written on the base of the Statue of Liberty Statue of Liberty

The American Dream The American Dream

You can be successful if you You can be successful if you work hard and live morally.work hard and live morally.

America is the land of America is the land of opportunity.opportunity.

Freedom to work hard and Freedom to work hard and be happy is enshrined in be happy is enshrined in the Constitution.the Constitution.

The Dream assumes The Dream assumes equality of opportunity, no equality of opportunity, no discrimination, freedom to discrimination, freedom to follow goals and freedom follow goals and freedom from victimization.from victimization.

The American DreamThe American Dream From the 17From the 17thth Century Century

onwards, immigrants onwards, immigrants have dreamed of a have dreamed of a better life in America.better life in America.

Many people Many people immigrated to America immigrated to America in search of a new life in search of a new life for themselves or their for themselves or their families.families.

Many others immigrated Many others immigrated to escape persecution or to escape persecution or poverty in their poverty in their homeland.homeland.

Immigrants dreamed Immigrants dreamed of making their of making their fortunes in America. fortunes in America.

For many this dream of For many this dream of riches became a riches became a nightmare. nightmare. – there were horrors of there were horrors of

slavery, slavery, – there were horrors of there were horrors of

the American Civil War,the American Civil War,– there was a growing there was a growing

number of slums that number of slums that were just as bad as were just as bad as those in Europe,those in Europe,

– there was also great there was also great corruption in the corruption in the American political American political system which led to system which led to many shattered hopes.many shattered hopes.

The idea of an American Dream for The idea of an American Dream for many was broken when in 1929, many was broken when in 1929, the Wall Street crashed, marking the Wall Street crashed, marking the beginning of the Great the beginning of the Great Depression.Depression.

This era affected the whole world This era affected the whole world during the 1930s, but even in the during the 1930s, but even in the midst of hardship, some people’s midst of hardship, some people’s dreams survived.dreams survived.

Thousands of people made their Thousands of people made their way west towards California to way west towards California to escape from their farmlands in the escape from their farmlands in the Midwest that were failing due to Midwest that were failing due to drought.drought.

Is the American dream possible in the Is the American dream possible in the historical context of the novel?historical context of the novel?

Meet the CharactersMeet the Characters

Tom JoadTom Joad The novel’s protagonist, and Ma and Pa Joad’s favorite son. Tom is good-The novel’s protagonist, and Ma and Pa Joad’s favorite son. Tom is good-

natured and thoughtful and makes do with what life hands him. natured and thoughtful and makes do with what life hands him. Even though he killed a man and has been separated from his family for Even though he killed a man and has been separated from his family for

four years, he does not waste his time with regrets. He lives fully for the four years, he does not waste his time with regrets. He lives fully for the present moment, which enables him to be a great source of vitality for present moment, which enables him to be a great source of vitality for the Joad family. the Joad family.

A wise guide and fierce protector, Tom exhibits a moral certainty A wise guide and fierce protector, Tom exhibits a moral certainty throughout the novel that imbues him with strength and resolve: he throughout the novel that imbues him with strength and resolve: he earns the awed respect of his family members as well as the workers he earns the awed respect of his family members as well as the workers he later organizes into unions. later organizes into unions.

Ma JoadMa Joad The mother of the The mother of the

Joad family. Ma is Joad family. Ma is introduced as a introduced as a woman who knowingly woman who knowingly and gladly fulfills her and gladly fulfills her role as “the citadel of role as “the citadel of the family.” the family.”

She is the healer of She is the healer of the family’s ills and the family’s ills and the arbiter of its the arbiter of its arguments, and her arguments, and her ability to perform ability to perform these tasks grows as these tasks grows as the novel progresses. the novel progresses.

Pa JoadPa Joad Ma Joad’s husband and Ma Joad’s husband and

Tom’s father. Pa Joad is an Tom’s father. Pa Joad is an Oklahoma tenant farmer Oklahoma tenant farmer who has been evicted from who has been evicted from his farm. his farm.

A plainspoken, good-A plainspoken, good-hearted man, Pa directs hearted man, Pa directs the effort to take the the effort to take the family to California. family to California.

Once there, unable to find Once there, unable to find work and increasingly work and increasingly desperate, Pa finds himself desperate, Pa finds himself looking to Ma Joad for looking to Ma Joad for strength and leadership, strength and leadership, though he sometimes feels though he sometimes feels ashamed of his weaker ashamed of his weaker position. position.

Jim CasyJim Casy A former preacher who gave A former preacher who gave

up his ministry out of a belief up his ministry out of a belief that all human experience is that all human experience is holy. holy.

Often the moral voice of the Often the moral voice of the novel, Casy articulates many novel, Casy articulates many of its most important themes, of its most important themes, among them the sanctity of among them the sanctity of the people and the essential the people and the essential unity of all mankind. unity of all mankind.

A staunch friend of Tom Joad, A staunch friend of Tom Joad, Casy goes to prison in Tom’s Casy goes to prison in Tom’s stead for a fight that erupts stead for a fight that erupts between laborers and the between laborers and the California police. California police.

He emerges a determined He emerges a determined organizer of the migrant organizer of the migrant workers.workers.

Rose of SharonRose of Sharon The oldest of Ma and Pa Joad’s The oldest of Ma and Pa Joad’s

daughters, and Connie’s wife.daughters, and Connie’s wife. An impractical, petulant, and romantic An impractical, petulant, and romantic

young woman, Rose of Sharon begins young woman, Rose of Sharon begins the journey to California pregnant with the journey to California pregnant with her first child. her first child.

She and Connie have grand notions of She and Connie have grand notions of making a life for themselves in a city. making a life for themselves in a city. The harsh realities of migrant life soon The harsh realities of migrant life soon disabuse Rose of Sharon of these disabuse Rose of Sharon of these ideas, however. ideas, however.

Her husband abandons her, and her Her husband abandons her, and her child is born dead. By the end of the child is born dead. By the end of the novel, she matures considerably, and novel, she matures considerably, and possesses, the reader learns with possesses, the reader learns with surprise, something of her mother’s surprise, something of her mother’s indomitable spirit and grace.indomitable spirit and grace.

Grandpa JoadGrandpa Joad Tom Joad’s grandfather. Tom Joad’s grandfather. The founder of the Joad farm, Grampa is now old The founder of the Joad farm, Grampa is now old

and infirm. Once possessed of a cruel and and infirm. Once possessed of a cruel and violent temper, Grampa’s wickedness is now violent temper, Grampa’s wickedness is now limited almost exclusively to his tongue. limited almost exclusively to his tongue.

He delights in tormenting his wife and shocking He delights in tormenting his wife and shocking others with sinful talk. Although his character others with sinful talk. Although his character serves largely to produce comical effect, he serves largely to produce comical effect, he exhibits a very real and poignant connection to exhibits a very real and poignant connection to the land. the land.

The family is forced to drug him in order to get The family is forced to drug him in order to get him to leave the homestead.him to leave the homestead.

Other CharactersOther Characters Ivy and Sairy WilsonIvy and Sairy Wilson -  A couple traveling to California  -  A couple traveling to California

whom the Joads meet on Highway 66, just before Grampa’s whom the Joads meet on Highway 66, just before Grampa’s death. The Wilsons lend the Joads their tent so that Grampa death. The Wilsons lend the Joads their tent so that Grampa can have a comfortable place to die. The Joads return the can have a comfortable place to die. The Joads return the couple’s kindness by fixing their broken-down car. Hoping to couple’s kindness by fixing their broken-down car. Hoping to make the trip easier, the two families combine forces, make the trip easier, the two families combine forces, traveling together until Sairy Wilson’s health forces her and traveling together until Sairy Wilson’s health forces her and Ivy to stop. Ivy to stop.

ConnieConnie -  Rose of Sharon’s husband, Connie is an unrealistic  -  Rose of Sharon’s husband, Connie is an unrealistic dreamer who abandons the Joads after they reach dreamer who abandons the Joads after they reach California. This act of selfishness and immaturity surprises California. This act of selfishness and immaturity surprises no one but his naïve wife. no one but his naïve wife.

Other CharactersOther Characters Noah JoadNoah Joad -  Tom’s older brother. Noah has been slightly  -  Tom’s older brother. Noah has been slightly

deformed since his birth: Pa Joad had to perform the delivery and, deformed since his birth: Pa Joad had to perform the delivery and, panicking, tried to pull him out forcibly. Slow and quiet, Noah panicking, tried to pull him out forcibly. Slow and quiet, Noah leaves his family behind at a stream near the California border, leaves his family behind at a stream near the California border, telling Tom that he feels his parents do not love him as much as telling Tom that he feels his parents do not love him as much as they love the other children. they love the other children.

Uncle JohnUncle John -  Tom’s uncle, who, years ago, refused to fetch a  -  Tom’s uncle, who, years ago, refused to fetch a doctor for his pregnant wife when she complained of stomach doctor for his pregnant wife when she complained of stomach pains. He has never forgiven himself for her death, and he often pains. He has never forgiven himself for her death, and he often dwells heavily on the negligence he considers a sin. dwells heavily on the negligence he considers a sin.

Ruthie JoadRuthie Joad -  The second and younger Joad daughter. Ruthie has  -  The second and younger Joad daughter. Ruthie has a fiery relationship to her brother Winfield: the two are intensely a fiery relationship to her brother Winfield: the two are intensely dependent upon one another and fiercely competitive. When she dependent upon one another and fiercely competitive. When she brags to another child that her brother has killed two men, she brags to another child that her brother has killed two men, she inadvertently puts Tom’s life in danger, forcing him to flee. inadvertently puts Tom’s life in danger, forcing him to flee.

Other CharactersOther Characters Winfield JoadWinfield Joad -  At the age of ten, Winfield is the youngest of the  -  At the age of ten, Winfield is the youngest of the

Joad children. Ma worries for his well-being, fearing that without a Joad children. Ma worries for his well-being, fearing that without a proper home he will grow up to be wild and rootless. proper home he will grow up to be wild and rootless.

Floyd KnowlesFloyd Knowles -  The migrant worker who first inspires Tom and  -  The migrant worker who first inspires Tom and Casy to work for labor organization. Floyd’s outspokenness sparks Casy to work for labor organization. Floyd’s outspokenness sparks a scuffle with the police in which Casy is arrested. a scuffle with the police in which Casy is arrested.

Muley GravesMuley Graves -  One of the Joads’ Oklahoma neighbors. When  -  One of the Joads’ Oklahoma neighbors. When the bank evicts his family, Muley refuses to leave his land. the bank evicts his family, Muley refuses to leave his land. Instead, he lets his wife and children move to California without Instead, he lets his wife and children move to California without him and stays behind to live outdoors. When he comes upon Tom him and stays behind to live outdoors. When he comes upon Tom at the abandoned Joad farm, he directs the young man to his at the abandoned Joad farm, he directs the young man to his Uncle John’s. Uncle John’s.

Agnes WainwrightAgnes Wainwright -  The daughter of the couple who shares the  -  The daughter of the couple who shares the Joads’ boxcar toward the end of the novel. Agnes becomes Joads’ boxcar toward the end of the novel. Agnes becomes engaged to Al, who leaves his family in order to stay with her. engaged to Al, who leaves his family in order to stay with her.

Grapes of WrathGrapes of Wrath– Title’s – Title’s OriginOrigin

Carol SteinbeckCarol Steinbeck reference to lyrics from "The Battle Hymn reference to lyrics from "The Battle Hymn

of the Republic", by Julia Ward Howe:of the Republic", by Julia Ward Howe:

Mine eyes have seen the glory of the Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord:coming of the Lord:He is trampling out the vintage where the He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored;grapes of wrath are stored;He hath loosed the fateful lightning of His He hath loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword:terrible swift sword:His truth is marching on.His truth is marching on.

Title’s originTitle’s origin These lyrics refer, in turn, to the biblical passage Revelation These lyrics refer, in turn, to the biblical passage Revelation

14:19-20, an apocalyptic appeal to divine justice and 14:19-20, an apocalyptic appeal to divine justice and deliverance from oppression in the final judgment.deliverance from oppression in the final judgment.

“And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and “And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. And the winepress was winepress of the wrath of God. And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress,even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a winepress,even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs.”thousand and six hundred furlongs.”

Image invoked serves as crucial symbol in the development Image invoked serves as crucial symbol in the development of both plot and the novel's greater thematic concerns: of both plot and the novel's greater thematic concerns: