The Grapes of WrathThe Grapes of Wrath

The “isms”: Influences on Steinbeck The “isms”: Influences on Steinbeck and “The Grapes of Wrath”and “The Grapes of Wrath”

SocialismSocialism John Steinbeck was not a socialistJohn Steinbeck was not a socialist. However, his interest in . However, his interest in

socialism varied throughout his life.socialism varied throughout his life. Socialist doctrine demands state ownership and control of the Socialist doctrine demands state ownership and control of the

fundamental means of production and distribution of wealth.fundamental means of production and distribution of wealth. The doctrine especially advocates nationalization of natural The doctrine especially advocates nationalization of natural

resources, basic industries, banking and credit facilities, and resources, basic industries, banking and credit facilities, and public utilities.public utilities.

The ultimate goal of all socialists is a The ultimate goal of all socialists is a classless, cooperative classless, cooperative commonwealthcommonwealth in every nation of the world. in every nation of the world.

Steinbeck once said that “only innocents or monsters” turned Steinbeck once said that “only innocents or monsters” turned to socialism.to socialism.

American TranscendentalismAmerican Transcendentalism

Emerson (as in, Ralph Waldo) looked for Emerson (as in, Ralph Waldo) looked for primary truth in the fundamental nature of the primary truth in the fundamental nature of the human mind. We have more in the mind than human mind. We have more in the mind than enters it through the senses.enters it through the senses.

Transcendentalism’s commitment to the Transcendentalism’s commitment to the individual is a commitment to the soul or spirit individual is a commitment to the soul or spirit that each person possesses in common with all that each person possesses in common with all other human beings. Emerson called this the other human beings. Emerson called this the “Oversoul.”“Oversoul.”

American TranscendentalismAmerican Transcendentalism A means of understanding the physical and spiritual A means of understanding the physical and spiritual

world.world. A philosophical, religious, literary, and social A philosophical, religious, literary, and social

movement.movement. The social imperative:The social imperative:

The well-being of all individuals is the basic purpose for all The well-being of all individuals is the basic purpose for all social organizations.social organizations.

Autonomous individuals cannot exist apart from others.Autonomous individuals cannot exist apart from others. There is a fundamental unity, a basic similarity, in all There is a fundamental unity, a basic similarity, in all

human experience, which is more important than the human experience, which is more important than the many obvious differences.many obvious differences.

NaturalismNaturalism Became the dominant literary movement in American fiction Became the dominant literary movement in American fiction

by the turn of the 20by the turn of the 20thth century. century. Early naturalistic writers included Stephen Crane (“The Red Early naturalistic writers included Stephen Crane (“The Red

Badge of Courage”); Jack London (“The Call of the Wild”); Badge of Courage”); Jack London (“The Call of the Wild”); Theodore Dreiser (“An American Tragedy”).Theodore Dreiser (“An American Tragedy”).

Many of their stories manifested Darwin’s theory of “survival Many of their stories manifested Darwin’s theory of “survival of the fittest.”of the fittest.”

Naturalism is a form of extreme realism: “Human beings are Naturalism is a form of extreme realism: “Human beings are animals in a natural world, responding to environmental forces animals in a natural world, responding to environmental forces and internal stresses and drives, over none of which they have and internal stresses and drives, over none of which they have control and none of which they fully understand.”control and none of which they fully understand.”11

1. C. Hugh Holman and William Harmon. A Handbook to Literature, 51. C. Hugh Holman and William Harmon. A Handbook to Literature, 5 thth ed. (New York: Macmillan, 1986). ed. (New York: Macmillan, 1986).

NaturalismNaturalism At the heart of this ideology is pessimistic At the heart of this ideology is pessimistic

Determinism: the notion that the causes of human Determinism: the notion that the causes of human tragedy lie beyond the powers of the individual.tragedy lie beyond the powers of the individual.

The movement was influenced by Marxist theory, The movement was influenced by Marxist theory, which holds that class struggle is the central element which holds that class struggle is the central element of social change in Western society.of social change in Western society.

This was coupled with economic problems stemming This was coupled with economic problems stemming from urbanization of America at the end of the 19from urbanization of America at the end of the 19 thth century.century.

This combination portrayed socio-economic forces This combination portrayed socio-economic forces that overwhelm individual lives. that overwhelm individual lives.

NaturalismNaturalism

Naturalists focused on the lives of lower-class Naturalists focused on the lives of lower-class characters struggling for survival in an alien and characters struggling for survival in an alien and often hostile society: a society insensitive to their often hostile society: a society insensitive to their personal needs for fulfillment or self-expression.personal needs for fulfillment or self-expression.

Their stories are often told by an “all-knowing” Their stories are often told by an “all-knowing” narrator who can relate deterministic factors far narrator who can relate deterministic factors far beyond the knowledge of the characters affected by beyond the knowledge of the characters affected by them.them.

NaturalismNaturalism The tendency in naturalistic works is that no one The tendency in naturalistic works is that no one

emerges triumphant, because simple survival emerges triumphant, because simple survival constitutes a moral victory. Beaten down by an constitutes a moral victory. Beaten down by an inhuman system and bad luck, many of the naturalist inhuman system and bad luck, many of the naturalist writers’ characters end as suicide victims.writers’ characters end as suicide victims.

John Steinbeck was not a dedicated student of John Steinbeck was not a dedicated student of American naturalism, yet his themes and methods are American naturalism, yet his themes and methods are often closely tied to this literary movement.often closely tied to this literary movement.

Some elements of “The Grapes of Wrath” might Some elements of “The Grapes of Wrath” might justify the term “naturalistic,” but the characters also justify the term “naturalistic,” but the characters also clearly make humane choices or decisions that allow clearly make humane choices or decisions that allow them to overcome obstacles and move forward.them to overcome obstacles and move forward.

Naturalism: Billy AustinNaturalism: Billy Austin With a partner, conduct this three-step analysis: With a partner, conduct this three-step analysis: STEP ONESTEP ONE: Read the lyrics and write one sentence that : Read the lyrics and write one sentence that

summarizes the subject of the song.summarizes the subject of the song. STEP TWOSTEP TWO: Read the lyrics a second time and write notes : Read the lyrics a second time and write notes

out to the side of the song that identifies figurative language: out to the side of the song that identifies figurative language: metaphors, similes, personification, imagery, etc. What metaphors, similes, personification, imagery, etc. What message is communicated to you now? Write two to three message is communicated to you now? Write two to three sentences that explain your thoughts.sentences that explain your thoughts.

STEP THREESTEP THREE: Read the lyrics a third time. What is the : Read the lyrics a third time. What is the author trying to tell you? Evaluate the song. What makes it author trying to tell you? Evaluate the song. What makes it interesting? What is the final message communicated to you? interesting? What is the final message communicated to you? Write a short reflection on the lyrics.Write a short reflection on the lyrics.

““Billy Austin”Billy Austin” Now, write a short essay in your notebooks, Now, write a short essay in your notebooks,

considering the following: considering the following: ““Seems like I’ve always been in prison, like I’ve Seems like I’ve always been in prison, like I’ve

always been alone.” What might the figurative always been alone.” What might the figurative meaning of this statement be? After all, Billy didn’t meaning of this statement be? After all, Billy didn’t enter jail the moment he exited the womb.enter jail the moment he exited the womb.

What clues do we get that the odds are stacked What clues do we get that the odds are stacked against Billy?against Billy?

Billy says he’s guilty: But is there any justification Billy says he’s guilty: But is there any justification for what he has done? Explain.for what he has done? Explain.