The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck is a powerful novel set during the Great Depression. It follows the Joad family, tenant farmers displaced from Oklahoma due to drought, economic hardship, and changes in agricultural practices. Seeking a better life, they travel west to California, lured by the promise of jobs and prosperity. The journey is arduous and fraught with challenges, including the deaths of family members and encounters with hostility and exploitation. Upon reaching California, they find that the reality is far grimmer than expected: there are too many workers and too few jobs, leading to widespread poverty and suffering. Throughout the novel, themes of injustice, social inequality, and the struggle for dignity are explored. Steinbeck highlights the resilience and solidarity of the oppressed, culminating in a profound ending that emphasizes human compassion and the enduring spirit of hope amidst adversity.
