The Grapes of Wrath in Never too Late to Read Classics

Apr 19, 2016 Josh Caporale rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Larry from Literary Gladiators made mention to how he felt The Grapes of Wrath was "The Great American Novel." For me, I am not sure if one could pinpoint any novel, let alone a particular American novel, that could be deemed "the greatest." Still, I feel there are so many American accounts that I need to read in literary form before I make a declaration as to which one I would deem as my favorite. As for The Grapes of Wrath, I find that it demonstrates Steinbeck's ability to flesh out superb ch Larry from Literary Gladiators made mention to how he felt The Grapes of Wrath was "The Great American Novel." For me, I am not sure if one could pinpoint any novel, let alone a particular American novel, that could be deemed "the greatest." Still, I feel there are so many American accounts that I need to read in literary form before I make a declaration as to which one I would deem as my favorite. As for The Grapes of Wrath, I find that it demonstrates Steinbeck's ability to flesh out superb characters, plot, and background, but it is definitely something that one needs to get into when it comes to density.

Tom Joad has just been released from prison on probation after he killed a man he got into a scuffle with. He comes across a former preacher named Casy and returns home to his parents, grandparents, three brothers, two sisters, uncle, brother-in-law, and several animals, who are on their way from leaving Oklahoma to seek opportunity in the west in California. Throughout their journey, they come across obstacles the way that many of others, including animals (like the turtle in chapter three), are bound to be faced with. Along the way are hardships and losses, but also opportunities and the idea that this particular journey is one that continues and does not stop.

I read East of Eden last year and while I felt East of Eden had more flavorful brain food, I still felt that The Grapes of Wrath was important in telling its story about those looking for a better opportunity during the Dust Bowl, emphasized by the Great Depression. The female characters in this novel were really portrayed in a way where the theme of a woman's voice really caught attention (the image of the males squatting as they spoke with the females stood in the same premise is worth exploring). Ma stepped up as a clear leader, while Rosasharn (Rose of Sharon) picked up the need to develop her voice, and even Ruthie was a outspoken young girl. There are so many critical arguments that can be made and explored in this novel, which makes discussion about this work all the better.

We went over this novel in high school and watched the film, but after putting it down due to its density four years ago, I finally read and completed this, and am happy to have done so. This novel gets a solid four stars, because I feel it is an important read, but it is going to require some patience. Just keep in mind that when you come across the turtle in chapter three, look at the greater picture and look at the turtle the same way you would look at a human.

Here is a video of a discussion I had about this novel on Literary Gladiators (which includes spoilers): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-THK... ...more

25 likes · Like · see review

Jan 05, 2015 Suzan (Suus Leest) rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Originally posted on my blog

"You're bound to get idears if you go thinkin' about stuff"

We follow the Joad family who were forced to leave their home in Oklahoma during the Great Depression. One of their sons, though, has just been released from prison and is on parole. For that reason, he is not allowed to leave the state. Nonetheless, the whole family head to California, where they hope to find a better future.

The setup of this novel is interesting. We read chapters from the Joad family's p Originally posted on my blog

"You're bound to get idears if you go thinkin' about stuff"

We follow the Joad family who were forced to leave their home in Oklahoma during the Great Depression. One of their sons, though, has just been released from prison and is on parole. For that reason, he is not allowed to leave the state. Nonetheless, the whole family head to California, where they hope to find a better future.

The setup of this novel is interesting. We read chapters from the Joad family's perspective alternated with chapters in which we see a nameless family (or families?) struggle. This allows the novel to be read as a bigger chronicle: the unnamed characters show us the issue is omnipresent and concerns anyone, and the chapters zooming in on the Joads evoke sympathy.

As a novel which was written and published during the Great Depression it is more often read as a history than a fictional piece of literature. However, reading reviews from the time of publication shows us that people protested against its legitimacy as they felt it was an exaggeration of the situation as well as of the people. I can see how at that time this resulted in much criticism especially by groups of people represented in the novel such as the Okies. However, I disagree with this approach as I think this was part of Steinbeck's purpose. I feel like he may have altered the facts slightly to come across better, to emphasise on how important the issues were. This is also the case with the character descriptions, as they're almost caricatures. This may be seen as annoying or unbelievable, but as a consequence character development is much clearer which in its turn highlights the impact of the Great Depression. Accurate or not, The Grapes of Wrath is a social commentary which makes you think about the way society works.

I say here 'society', but one might think a novel like this is more about politics. While it cannot deny how the government deals with the issues in the 1930s, the novel much more focusses on the importance of community and family in times of need. For Steinbeck, this seems an important theme, as his novella Of Mice and Men also deals with how friendship defines a person's fate. That is not to say that his works are sweet stories about companionship, quite the contrary, especially in the case of Of Mice and Men in which betrayal is a major theme. In this aspect, The Grapes of Wraths can be seen as at least a little bit positive: while not all bonds are strong in the novel, the Joads illustrate that both family and comradery can at least bring us one step further.

While there are many layers to the novel - many different themes and parallels to the story of Exodus - it can also be read as 'just a story'. It is both plot and character driven: if there is no action there is immense character devleopment. Consequently, the novel is never boring. Moreover, as a result from some themes not being very sublte, such as the importance of kindness, it does have you think about life and about yourself, even if you are just reading it leasurely.

...more

4 likes · Like · see review

Feb 21, 2020 Fernanda rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

"'(...)Seems like our life's over an' done.'
'No, it ain't', Ma smiled. 'It ain't, Pa. An' that's one more thing a woman knows. I noticed that. Man, he lives in jerks - baby born an' a man dies, an' that's a jerk - gets a farm an' loses his farm, an' that's a jerk. Woman, it's all one flow, like a stream, like eddies, little waterfalls, but the river, it goes right on. Woman looks at it like that. We ain't gonna die out. People is going on - changin' a little, maybe, but goin' right on.'" ...more

Like · see review

Jan 28, 2016 Sydney rated it really liked it

I read this as a part of the group Never Too Late to Read Classics.

I am so incredibly happy to be going through books most people read in high school AND actually enjoying them. My only gripe with this one is it seemed too long and really hit you heavily multiple times with the same themes presented in the same way.

I highly recommend the audio book.

Like · see review