Criticism Of The Grapes Of Wrath

The Grapes of Wrath was burned and banned because of its realistic portrayal of the hardships that the Joads endured during the dustbowl, economic hardships, and the journey for a new life in California. The Grapes of Wrath is arguably the most eye-opening novel written in the 20th century. It shows the hardships that the joads and any other family trying to make a living had to endure. The grapes of wrath would not have made sense if it were to be written without it geographical and time settings. The 1930’s were already tough enough as it was, but it was also in the midst of the depression. “The grapes of wrath, by john steinbeck, was first published in 1939 and would achieve both the national book award and pulitzer prize that same year.

Noted Steinbeck scholar John Timmerman, in summation of the novel’s impact, said, ‘The Grapes of Wrath may well be the most thoroughly discussed novel- in criticism, reviews, and college classrooms- of 20th century American literature.’”(“Banned Books Awareness”). Despite all of the praises and awards The Grapes of Wrath received, it still produced many outcries and riots claiming Steinbeck used his novel to span the United States’ social and political way of doing things.”At times the novel literally fuelled the fires of public debate as local communities burned copies in protest.” (“Banned Books Awareness”). People of America were so outraged that they gathered in the streets and threw these books into a raging inferno just to get their point across. Before Steinbeck sat down to write The Grapes of Wrath, he wrote his most famous quote-”I want to put a tag of shame on the greedy bastards who are responsible for this [the Great Depression and its effects]. I’ve done my damnedest to rip a reader’s nerves to

There are orchards and fields everywhere, and the soil is rich and moist. However, life is dangerous and it is harrowing in the beautiful state. Many migrant families continue to move from place to place, setting up campgrounds called Hoovervilles (named after President Herbert Hoover) on the outskirts of towns.” (“The Grapes of Wrath Setting”). When the joads arrived in California after an extensive and strenuous journey, they were placed in government assigned camps. The Hoovervilles were bleak. The Joads saw tattered tents, sad people, and children who didn’t look as if they had eaten in days. “California is depicted as fiercely beautiful, but incredibly dangerous. Against the backdrop of growth and cultivation, families starve.” (“The Grapes of Wrath