The Grapes of Wrath

John Steinbeck's, The Grapes of Wrath, was written in 1939 and won both the National Book Award as well as the Pulitzer prize in 1962. 

The realist novel takes place during the Great Depression and follows a family of tenant farmers, the Joads, as they flee poverty and bank foreclosure in Oklahoma caused by drought and the infamous dust bowl that struck American and Canadian prairies in the 1930’s. The Joads, trusting advertisements that promise a better life westward, join the rest of the “Oakies” making the trek toward California on the “mother road” in search of work, financial stability and a dignified life for their family. Only to find bitter disappointment in a new America run by banks and the budding agricultural giants. The Grapes of Wrath is one of the great pieces of  American literature and is no less relevant today than it was almost 100 years ago. The battle between the great owners and the ones that prop them up still rages today and Steinbeck’s novel reminds us that we are not alone in the scope of history.

Editor's note: It should be noted that Steinbeck consulted multiple different journalists and writers while preparing The Grapes of Wrath. These people and their perspectives contributed heavily to the book's final press and one was left with little to no credit. Sanora Babb’s novel “Whose Names Are Unknown” was also written in the 1930’s but was not published until 2004 in part because of the publication and success of The Grapes of Wrath. Scholars note that “Who’s Names Are Unknown" bears a striking resemblance to The Grapes of Wrath and was if the notes were read by Steinbeck would have absolutely influenced his work. Steinbeck used many field sources in the creation of the book that were credited but Babb was never mentioned. If you’re a fan of this book, it’s worth reading hers as well.

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