The Grapes of Wrath

by John Steinbeck

Steinbeck’s liberal mixture of native philosophy, common-sense leftist politics, blue-collar radicalism, working-class characters, homespun folk wisdom, and digressive narrative form—all set to a bold, rhythmic style and nervy, raw dialogue—qualified

Everything I like about Steinbeck

History surrounds fiction; fiction embeds history.

Women and children knew deep in themselves that no misfortune was too great to bear if their men were whole.

The bank is something else than men. It happens that every man in a bank hates what the bank does, and yet the bank does it. The bank is something more than men, I tell you. It’s the monster. Men made it, but they can’t control it.

Truer words have never been said.

In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage.

“Then it don’ matter. Then I’ll be all aroun’ in the dark. I’ll be ever’where—wherever you look. Wherever they’s a fight so hungry people can eat, I’ll be there. Wherever they’s a cop beatin’ up a guy, I’ll be there.