The Grapes of Wrath | Study Guide

John Steinbeck

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The Grapes of Wrath | Infographic

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Check out this Infographic to learn more about John Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath. Study visually with character maps, plot summaries, helpful context, and more.

grapes-of-wrath-john-steinbeckThe Grapes of Wrathby the NumbersAcademy Awards won (Best Director and Best Supporting Actress) for the 1940 film version2Printings of The Grapes of Wrath by February 194011Length in hours of a 50th anniversary radio reading of the novel in 198925People who migrated to California during the 1930s because of the Dust Bowl~200,000ThemesIndividuals vs. CommunityMany characters leave the family to follow their dreams,but others come to understand the powerful bond of community.Meekness vs. WrathMany characters meekly obey the power structure. Wrath causes other characters to rise up and rebel.Selfishness vs. KindnessThe selfishness of powerful landowners causes hardshipsfor many families. In contrast, migrant workers often act unselfishly toward one another.AuthorSteinbeck worked as a manual laborer during the 1920s, an experience that helped him portray migrant workers in The Grapes of Wrath, which won the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award. This powerful novel helped raise awareness about the struggles of migrant workers.JOHN STEINBECK1902–68SymbolsSymbolizes the heart and soul of common peopleMusicShows that harsh conditions make it hard to create new lifeRose of Sharon's PregnancyRepresent the destructive power of big businessThe Bank MonstersMain CharactersMa Joad, Chapter 20hey ain't gonna wipe us out. Why, we're the people—we go on.TomMain character, whose narrow view of life widens in the course of the storyPaTom's fatherMaTom's strong-mindedmotherNoahTom's older brother, who decides to stay near a riverAlTom's younger brother, who leaves to get marriedRose of SharonTom's pregnant sisterGrampa & GranmaTom's grandparentsLeaves familyDuring the Dust Bowl in the 1930s, the Joads, a tenant farming family, are forced to leave their home in Oklahoma when a severe drought causes their crops to fail. They set out for California, where they face continued hardships as migrant farmers.Searching for HomeOVERVIEW1 SallisawTom Joad returns home from prison. He leaves with his family.2 Santa RosaMa keeps the Joad family from breaking up.3 NeedlesNoah, Tom’s brother, leaves the family.4 BakersfieldJoads stay in Hooverville. Police force Joads out and burn Hooverville. Joads move to well-maintained Weedpatch camp but can’t find work.5 PixleyJoads get work at peach farm. Tom kills a policeman. He hides in the Joad truckas they leave camp.6 Cotton FarmJoads get work picking cotton. Tom leaves the family. Flood forces Joads to evacuate.123456Sources: Encyclopaedia Britannica, IMDb, PBS, The Telegraph, Turner Classic MoviesCopyright © 2016 Course Hero, Inc.John Steinbeck1939EnglishNovel AuthorYear PublishedOriginal LanguageThe Grapes of WrathFiction
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