A classic example of socialism is John Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath

A classic example of socialism is John Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath

The idea of socialism has transcended down in history; from the

proletariat fighting for rights in France to Marxist revolutions and

Leninists in Russia. Socialism is the helping of the laboring class;

more so it is the uprising and asserting of power of the laboring

class. A classic example of socialism is John Steinbeck's "The Grapes

of Wrath". Many people thought this book was an attack on America, due

to it's social views. "Grapes of Wrath" was not a book of attack or

slander on America, rather it was more of an awakening or cry for

change. Steinbeck seems to be the voice of the masses. Steinbeck wants

to suggest, through character, settings and idea filled chapters, how

socialist reforms would bring upon a dignified lifestyle for the

disadvantages people from the mid-west. He calls for change and hopes

for enlightenment through his novel, not to cast aspersions or

criticize.

During the 1930's, the era of Depression in America, many people were

afraid of communist ideas that were present overseas. Many people felt

that Steinbeck was supporting these ideas. If someone was a

questioner, a thinker, or someone who went against the mold, like

Steinbeck, they were called a "red". In other words, that person was

considered a communist. Steinbeck, through his novel, brought the

worst stories of America and showed them to the world. He did this in

hope of spreading the idea of socialism.

Steinbeck shows the spread of socialism through two main characters:

Jim Casy and Tom Joad. He displays them as wanting, wanting a better

life, wanting something more spiritually, wanting something more for

"their folks". The only thing that seems to ...

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...ds. Al gets to be a

teenager, not a responsible driver. He can now look for girls and etc.

But when the family leaves the camp, due to no work, the family falls

apart. The normality. The socialism at the camp is what made most of

them happy and kept them together. But Ma Joad knew better. She shows

that socialism has to be widespread, it can't just be in one spot. It

has to take over everything and be thought by everyone.

When the normality ends, the requirement of socialism in society

becomes important again. Through out the novel, Steinbeck tries to

give us a clear picture of what is needed to stop all the suffering

that was going on in our nation. Tom Joad, Jim Casy, the camp and a

couple chapters teach the future readers that we can make a difference

in people's lives. We have made a difference. Today socialism is alive

and working well for America.