A review by iamother
The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck

adventurous emotional hopeful reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

I think the influence of this book and why it has stood the test of time is in its themes. Themes that are still relevant in our society today. Showing that even though some things may change a lot of things still remain the same. The author is able to firmly plant us in the environment of these people in the hopes that we would gain empathy for their plight. How given the circumstances, would we have behaved any differently? The author is deliberate in the way that it doesn’t make out people to be villains in these scenarios. In a micro sense the Joad family is dealing with people that impede their ability to provide for their loved ones, but in a macro sense this is all apart of some unnamed conglomerate’s desire to put profits above the human cost. It is why people can justify their actions because they are doing it in the service of their family rather than in service to some unfeeling company. Regardless if it hurts someone else in the process, something that society acknowledges that happens and ultimately accepts, that points to something more systemic. The Joad family represents what happens when the ideals our society portrays meet reality. When our faith is these systems is put to the test, will we remain steadfast? I think that’s why the question of religions was utilized heavily in this text through various characters. The way they struggle with their faith and what they have to do to survive. If the same actions that God would deem reprehensible are something that I can live with, was I even a Christian to begin with? Or was it just a relationship of convenience? The author’s use of the Joad family’s stay at the government camp along with the burning of another separate migrant camp shows the dichotomy that exists in government. That people have the potential for empathy and understanding but our worse instincts have to be curtailed with guardrails while in positions of power. I loved how the author presented each member of the family as having their own character flaws that they were struggling with however despite this they were willing to put them aside in service of the family. Especially the women of the family, namely the mother, acting as an anchor for them. Issues of wealth disparity, regionalism, migration, and educational gaps still persist in society and shows we still have so much still to work on. Also I liked this sentiment throughout that we have moved away from people helping others for the sake of helping instead of this idea that doing so somehow takes away from your family. That helping others is helping society as a whole instead of hoarding resources for ourselves just because we can. I also liked the subtlety of the writing style. The way the author was able to hint at the struggles and faults of the characters without being so overt with it. In a way it allows the reader to relate with the characters that much more because they are able to attach their own difficulties onto them.