Role Of Robert Steinbeck s The Grapes Of Wrath

Robby LaRoy APLang 2 º Ms. Lehman 9/13/14 The Role of Unity in Survival During the great depression in the plains of Oklahoma, workers were forced out of their homes as their crops withered away to nothing and dust took over. The general feeling of these migrant workers during the late 20’s and early 30’s can be summarized by the struggle for survival showcased in The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck. In the novel, a family called the Joads makes their way westward in hopes of a better life for themselves and their future families. In order to understand the zeitgeist during the dust bowl and the experiences of migrant workers, one must first analyze the intercalary chapters and identify with the characters and their various struggles.†¦show more content†¦This quote shows the unity and faith in family that extends throughout the whole novel. As long as the men stand tall, the family stays at their side and never backs down until a decision is made. This sense of unity prevails through the whole book and gives insight to the Joad family before they are even introduced. As the book progresses, the Joads show this sense of unity with themselves as well as other migrants. In order to survive, the Joads must stick together and always have faith in what the future holds. The idea of property ownership throughout the novels plays a vital role in explaining the consciousness of the people and their viewpoint of property. In Chapter 5, Steinbeck illustrates this relation as migrant workers are forced out of their homes and directed to live elsewhere by the â€Å"capitalist monster†. This idea of visualizing capitalism as a monster can be explained through the hate filled spirit the book has toward capitalism and viewing it as a monster, accentuates that spirit. In the chapter, Steinbeck writes, Funny thing how it is. If a man owns a little property, that property is him, it s part of him, and it s like him. If he owns property only so he can walk on it and handle it and be sad when it isn t doing well, and feel fine when the rain falls on it, that property is him, and some way he s bigger because he owns it. Even if he isn t successful he’s big with