The Grapes Of Wrath

A detailed Summary of The Grapes Of Wrath


The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck is a classic novel which shows normal Americans' lives in one of the harshest periods of American history. The Great Depression affected every family in America. The Joad family was not an exception. This family was kicked off their land in Oklahoma and they decided to rise out of poverty by settling in the "promised land", California. The Joads think that they can start their lives over in California. There hear stories about California having lots of jobs and the family is hopeful that once they reach the "promised land" they will no longer be poor.

The family begins their journey with twelve family members, and a family friend. The friend, also a preacher, joins the family in the journey. Along the way, the family encounters many problems. Their car breaks down; Grandpa dies; Grandma dies; Rose of Sharon's husband abandons her and their unborn child; one of the sons disappears down the river; another son leaves the family to take a wife; and the preacher, Jim Casy, is murdered. The murder of Jim Casy affects the main character Tom Joad. Tom is now out to get revenge for the murder. The biggest problem the family encounters is the lack of money. There is not enough money to feed the famil


This novel is very important even in present times. Although America has recovered from the Great Depression, poverty is still present. The Joad family represents present day individuals stuck in poverty. Also, this novel has a moral that what comes around goes around. For example, the waitress Mae sells some candy to some kids in a restaurant. Although the candy costs a nickel, she only chares them a penny. A man in the restaurant sees this kindness and leaves Mae a dollar tip. Mae commits an act of kindness, which inspires even more generosity. Also, Rose of Sharon nurses a starving man so that he may live. Rose of Sharon was hungry herself, but she still showed sympathy for someone in need. The Joad family always did what was necessary to make sure that those around them survived. These acts of kindness could inspire the readers to follow these actions.

y and maintain the car. Even when the family reaches California, they quickly find out that the rumors of plentiful jobs were false. Only half of the original members are alive at the end of the trip. The family is broken up, poor, jobless, homeless, and hungry. The reader assumes that the family never makes it out of poverty.

Steinbeck also uses a lot of biblical references in this book. He does this to point out the

Some common words found in the essay are:
Baby Jesus, John Steinbeck, Oklahoma Grandpa, Joad Tom, California Joads, Rose Sharon, Red Earth, Christ Jim, Rose Sharon's, America Joad, rose sharon, joad family, grapes wrath, jim casy, sharon nurses starving, land oklahoma, promised land, family encounters, hardest times, family journey, rose sharon nurses, journey twelve,

Approximate Word count = 865
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English

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