Art is a wonderful thing. Whether it be through a powerful film, a solemn photograph, or a spirited song, art can capture the human soul and struggle. John Steinbeck’s novel, The Grapes of Wrath, masterfully portrays the plight of the more than 350,000 people displaced by the Dust Bowl in the 1930s. As any great piece or art, The Grapes of Wrath creates empathy and change in the minds of its readers by revealing the hope and resilience held by the “Okies”, and exposing the wrongs and sorrow they suffered. I believe it is great art that serves a moral and social purpose. Steinbeck’s novel is memorable and significant because of its ability to transform its readers, its influence during its time, and its bold documentation of injustice. A
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During the years following its publication, the powerful message reached a large audience, including influential Americans like First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. It is said the that “human message of The Grapes of Wrath galvanized the country” (A&E) leading to not only transformation in its readers, but direct action taken to mitigate the suffering of the migrants. Particularly, the labor issues presented in the novel led to federal investigation of the labor practices in California and overwhelming controversy from farm owners. Steinbeck was heavily criticized for being dishonest in his reporting of the miserable labor conditions the “Okies” endured. However, many defended Steinbeck’s account of the incredibly cruel labor practices, and Steinbeck’s authentic accounts are what triggered a public desire for change. Passages in the novel illustrate the desperation of the migrants for work even at an inhumane wage. Steinbeck explains that when “there was work for a man, ten men fought for it-fought with a low wage. If that fella’ll work for thirty cents, I’ll work for twenty-five” (283) until the wage was driven down. Then, one man mentions that his children are too weak to play and sick from only eating windfall fruit, and he begs for just a scrape of meat for his labor. Prior to the Grapes of Wrath, the dire need of suitable labor and nutrition for the Oklahoman migrants had been largely ignored by the media, and Steinbeck’s honest depiction brought national attention to the scarcity of good jobs and acceptable conditions for the “Okies”. Again, Steinbeck aims to create empathy for the migrants and does the critical job of humanizing them and their desires, which ultimately speaks far louder to readers than a cold periodical. Thus, his inclusion of dreadful details and portrayal of an image of ten despairing
During the years following its publication, the powerful message reached a large audience, including influential Americans like First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. It is said the that “human message of The Grapes of Wrath galvanized the country” (A&E) leading to not only transformation in its readers, but direct action taken to mitigate the suffering of the migrants. Particularly, the labor issues presented in the novel led to federal investigation of the labor practices in California and overwhelming controversy from farm owners. Steinbeck was heavily criticized for being dishonest in his reporting of the miserable labor conditions the “Okies” endured. However, many defended Steinbeck’s account of the incredibly cruel labor practices, and Steinbeck’s authentic accounts are what triggered a public desire for change. Passages in the novel illustrate the desperation of the migrants for work even at an inhumane wage. Steinbeck explains that when “there was work for a man, ten men fought for it-fought with a low wage. If that fella’ll work for thirty cents, I’ll work for twenty-five” (283) until the wage was driven down. Then, one man mentions that his children are too weak to play and sick from only eating windfall fruit, and he begs for just a scrape of meat for his labor. Prior to the Grapes of Wrath, the dire need of suitable labor and nutrition for the Oklahoman migrants had been largely ignored by the media, and Steinbeck’s honest depiction brought national attention to the scarcity of good jobs and acceptable conditions for the “Okies”. Again, Steinbeck aims to create empathy for the migrants and does the critical job of humanizing them and their desires, which ultimately speaks far louder to readers than a cold periodical. Thus, his inclusion of dreadful details and portrayal of an image of ten despairing