The Grapes of Wrath, written by John Steinbeck and published in 1939, is a novel set in the Dust Bowl of the 1930s and follows the Joad family as they move from Oklahoma to California, seeking a better life. The novel is a reflection of the economic conditions of the time and the hardships faced by many during the era of the Great Depression.
The Great Depression was a catastrophic event that began with the stock market crash of 1929, causing an unprecedented level of economic hardship. Unemployment skyrocketed, banks failed, and poverty levels rose to levels never before seen in the US (Nagpal et al., 2021). As the novel takes place in this time period, the economic conditions of the time had a significant influence on the themes and plot of the Grapes of Wrath.
The Joad family’s struggle to make ends meet and survive in the face of extreme poverty is a reflection of the harsh realities of the Great Depression. They set out for California in search of a better life due to the economic struggles of the period, and the novel examines the effects of economic hardship on the family and their relationships (Nagpal et al., 2021). Along the way, the family encounters other migrant workers and experiences the conditions of the labor camps, which further highlights the struggles of those affected by the Depression.
The Grapes of Wrath is a powerful example of how the economy of the time influenced literature. The novel reflects the harsh realities of the Great Depression and the struggles of those affected by it. It also sheds light on the inequality and injustice of the time, which was primarily a result of the economic disparity of the period. The Grapes of Wrath serves as a reminder of the consequences of economic hardship and the need for economic justice in the modern world.
Reference
Nagpal, R., Tramboo, D., & Ahmad, I. (2021). Racial Discrimination And Economic Inequality In John Steinbeck’s The Grapes Of Wrath. Int. J. of Aquatic Science, 12(2), 3213-3216.