The Grapes of Wrath: Context (OCR A Level English Literature)

Context should inform, but should never dominate, your reading of the text. Any comments on context must consider the significance and influence of the contexts in which the text was written and received. When exploring context for The Grapes of Wrath, you should consider primarily the literary context, and then include any other relevant contexts as appropriate to the question. Each of the topics below link directly to the key themes and ideas in The Grapes of Wrath:

• Literary context

• Social context

• Historical context

Literary context

When considering a novel’s literary context, it is important to explore the form and genre it is written in, as well as anything the novel might do that defies the expectations of a particular genre. The Grapes of Wrath can be seen as an example of Realism. The section below will explore Realism in relation to the novel in more detail.

Realism

Realism attempts to create literature in which the world is presented as it exists. It was a dramatic shift from Romanticism, which had dominated literature prior to the introduction of Realism. Its purpose is to present everyday experiences as they are in real life, even if they are monotonous and mundane. It represents people, places and stories in a real and believable way. 

Some of the key elements of Realism include:

• Realistic characters

• Realistic setting

• A feasible plot

• An importance placed on depicting social class

• A tendency to avoid over-dramatising or romanticising a story

Realism in the Grapes of Wrath

• Steinbeck employs Realism in the novel to depict the harsh realities of life during the Great Depression, focusing in particular on the experiences of migrant workers

• Steinbeck provides detailed and vivid descriptions to add to the realism:

  • He describes the landscape, people and conditions, aiming to create an accurate portrayal of the Dust Bowl, migrant camps, and the struggles faced by the Joad family

• The characters in the novel speak in a manner reflective of the social and economic context of the time:

  • Steinbeck captures the dialects, colloquialisms and speech patterns of the people he is depicting, emphasising the authenticity of their experiences

• The novel realistically portrays the economic hardships faced by the Joad family and other migrants:

  • The emphasis on poverty, unemployment and the struggle for survival reflects the widespread economic challenges of the era

• Steinbeck exposes the social injustices and exploitation prevalent during the Great Depression:

  • The depiction of the disparity between the wealthy landowners and the impoverished  migrant workers reflects the reality of class struggles and economic inequality

• The novel uses intercalary chapters to present facts and events in a straightforward manner:

  • This style aligns with Realism aiming to provide an objective and truthful account of the social and economic conditions of the time

• Realism often focuses on the ordinary and everyday aspects of life:

  • Steinbeck does this by portraying the Joad family’s daily struggles, interactions with other migrants and the monotony of life in the camps, offering a realistic glimpse into their existence

• Steinbeck uses Realism as a tool for social commentary:

  • By presenting a truthful account of the migrants’ lives, he invites readers to reflect on the societal issues and injustices depicted in the novel

• Realism also involves portraying the resilience of the human spirit amid adversity:

  • Despite the hardships, the characters in The Grapes of Wrath exhibit resilience and determination in their quest for a better life

Social context

A novel’s social context can be thought of as the social and political environment in which it was written, and the social and political environment in which it is understood. Through The Grapes of Wrath, Steinbeck offers a critique of American society and its values during the Great Depression. This is explored in more detail below.

The Great Depression

• The Grapes of Wrath vividly depicts life during the Great Depression, offering a poignant portrayal of the struggles and challenges faced by individuals and families:

  • During the Depression, there was widespread unemployment across the nation and many families struggled to make ends meet due to a loss of jobs

• Environmental disasters, such as the Dust Bowl, exacerbated economic hardships:

  • Dust storms destroyed crops and livelihoods, forcing people to migrate, just like the Joads in the novel

• Migrant families travelled long distances in search of work, which is accurately portrayed in the novel:

  • The Joads face harsh conditions on the road, living in makeshift camps and facing discrimination

• The Joad family and other migrants experience extreme poverty:

  • Homelessness is rampant, with families living in shanty towns and camps

• Large landowners exploited migrant workers, paying low wages and providing inadequate living conditions:

  • Migrant workers faced intense competition for jobs, leading to further exploitation

• The novel highlights social injustices, including the mistreatment of workers and the concentration of wealth in the hands of a few:

  • Discrimination against migrants was prevalent, leading to a dehumanising experience

• The Joad family and others fight for dignity in the face of degrading conditions:

  • Characters strive to maintain their humanity and resist being dehumanised by circumstances

• Economic hardship puts stress on family structures:

  • The Joads experience family breakdowns and loss as they navigate the challenges of the Depression

• Despite hardships, characters hold on to the hope of a better future:

  • The journey to California symbolises the pursuit of the American Dream amid adversity

• The novel also explores the inadequacy of government relief programs

• Migrant communities form along the journey, providing a support network:

  • The novel emphasises the importance of solidarity and collective action

• Characters endure personal loss and sacrifice for the sake of survival:

  • The narrative reflects the toll the Great Depression took on individuals and families

• The novel serves as a powerful and realistic portrayal of life during the Great Depression:

  • It captures the resilience, desperation and hope that characterised this challenging period in American history

Historical context

Whilst background knowledge of the historical context in which a text was written and received is useful, any reference to historical context should be made judiciously and linked carefully to the themes in the novel and the focus of the exam question. Below you will find some comments about historical context relevant to the key themes and ideas in the novel.

• Steinbeck started writing novels in 1929 and published what is known as his masterpiece, The Grapes of Wrath, in 1939:

  • When the novel was published, it became an instant bestseller

• During the early 1930s, a severe drought occurred, which led to huge agricultural failure throughout Oklahoma and Texas

• Steinbeck took the task of writing about the plight of migrant farm workers very seriously:

  • He lived in Oklahoma with a farming family and made the journey with them to California

• In 1940, the novel was awarded the Pulitzer Prize and adapted into a film

• The story of the Joad family captures an unsettled time in America and it has been suggested that the character of Jim Casy reflects Steinbeck’s own views on society