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

The Grapes of Wrath: Key Quotations

One of the ways to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of the text is through the effective use of quotations and references to the text. This means that summarising, paraphrasing, referencing single words and referencing plot events are all as valid as using direct quotations.

Overall, you should aim to secure a strong knowledge of the text, rather than memorising a list of pre-prepared quotations, as this will better enable you to respond to the question. It is the quality of your knowledge of the text that will enable you to select references effectively.

If you are going to revise quotations, the best way is to group them by character or theme. Below you will find definitions and analysis of the best quotations, arranged by the following key themes:

• Modernisation/industrialisation

• The American Dream

• Gender roles

Modernisation/industrialisation

Industrialisation was a key theme in The Grapes of Wrath as it is one of the main reasons why the Joads and many other families had to leave for California.

“One man on a tractor can take the place of twelve or fourteen families. Pay him a wage and take all the crop…but the monster’s sick. Something’s happened to the monster” – Narrator, Chapter 5

Meaning and context

• This quote is from an intercalary chapter

• It reflects the economic and social challenges faced by the characters in the novel, particularly the impact of technological advancements on agriculture and the livelihood of farmers

• The men talk about how one man on a tractor can do the work of many families efficiently

Analysis

• The mention of “one man on a tractor” to replace multiple families suggests the increasing mechanisation of farming, where machinery can replace manual labour

• The phrase “pay him a wage and take all the crop” highlights the exploitative nature of the system:

  • It implies that a single individual operating a tractor, likely working for a larger company, is able to monopolise the entire harvest, leaving little for the families who would have traditionally worked the land

  • This underscores the theme of economic disparity and the struggles of the working class during the Great Depression

• The use of the word “monster” could be interpreted as the economic system or the forces driving the mechanisation in agriculture

• The acknowledgement that “something’s happened to the monster” implies a recognition that the traditional way of life is undergoing a transformation, and it may not be for the better

• Overall, this quote captures the tension between traditional agricultural practices and the impact of technological progress on the livelihoods of rural communities

• It reflects the broader social and economic issues of the time:

  • As portrayed in Steinbeck’s exploration of the human cost of industrialisation and the consequences of a changing economic landscape on the working class

“Only the tractor sheds of corrugated iron, silver and gleaming, were alive; and they were alive with metal and gasoline and oil” – Narrator, Chapter 11

Meaning and context

• From an intercalary chapter in which Steinbeck describes the condition of the Dust Bowl states, including the tenant farmers’ houses

• This chapter shows the impact of the industrialisation of agriculture and the negative effect it has on the farmers

Analysis

• This quote vividly describes the contrast between the lifelessness of the environment and the vitality of the machinery, specifically tractors, during the Great Depression era

• Words such as “corrugated iron”, “silver” and “gleaming” convey a sense of modernity and sterility:

  • Corrugated iron suggests a utilitarian, industrial aesthetic, while “silver and gleaming” evoke images of something new, polished and metallic

  • This stark imagery sets the scene for a landscape dominated by inanimate structures, which stands in contrast to the more organic and traditional elements typically associated with rural life

• The phrase “were alive” takes on a figurative meaning:

  • It suggests that the tractor sheds, being the shelters for modern agricultural machinery, are the only elements in this environment that exhibit signs of life

  • The shed comes to life through the presence of “metal and gasoline and oil”, highlighting the industrial and mechanical nature of the agricultural operations

• Steinbeck personifies the tractor, with machines now controlling the land instead of people:

  • Instead of blood coursing through veins, gasoline and oil bring life to the tractor

• By emphasising the materials and substances associated with machinery, such as metal, gasoline and oil, Steinbeck draws attention to the mechanisation of agriculture

The American Dream

Steinbeck uses the characters and the events in the novel to criticise the American Dream and how it does not apply to every American who strives for a better life.

“Why don’t you go on west to California? There’s work there, and it never gets cold. Why, you can reach out anywhere and pick an orange. Why, there’s always some kind of crop to work in” – Minor character, Chapter 5

Meaning and context

• A landowner, who has come to evict the tenant family from their home and farm, suggests that they travel to California

• He describes California as a land of opportunity and prosperity, which reflects the ideas that farmers who longed to flee the misery of the Dust Bowl believed at the time

Analysis

• The quote encapsulates the allure and optimism that many people felt about the West Coast as a land of opportunity and economic prosperity

• The suggestion to “go on west to California” is presented as a solution to the challenges faced by those affected by the Dust Bowl and economic hardships in other parts of the country:

  • The notion of going west represents the westward migration that many families, like the Joads in the novel, undertook in search of a better life

• The mention of work in California, where “it never gets cold” emphasises the idea of a more favourable climate compared to the harsh conditions experienced in other regions:

  • This highlights the appeal of California as a place where individuals could escape not only economic hardship but also the physical discomfort associated with the harsh weather in other parts of the country

• The imagery of being able to “reach out anywhere and pick an orange” conveys the abundance of agricultural opportunities in California:

  • Oranges, as a symbol of the state’s agricultural wealth, represent the promise of employment in the fertile fields of California

• The use of the phrase “always some kind of crop to work in” suggests that work in California is not only available, but plentiful and diverse:

  • This reinforces the idea that California could provide sustained employment

• However, it is important to note that while the quote reflects the hope and optimism associated with the West, the novel also explores the harsh realities and challenges faced by migrants upon reaching California

• The quote is ironic as, upon reaching California, the Joads find it difficult to find work and are unable to earn enough money:

  • Therefore, this highlights how the American Dream cannot be achieved by those who society does not look favourably upon

  • The promise of a better life turns out to be a false one

“Gonna get me a whole big bunch of grapes off a bush, or whatever, an’ I’m gonna squash ‘em on my face an’ let ‘em run offen my chin.” – Grampa Joad, Chapter 8

Meaning and context

• The Joad family are preparing to leave their home and migrate to California

• Grampa Joad talks about what his life is going to be like once the family reaches California

Analysis

• This quote captures a moment of simple, almost childlike joy and desire for a better life amidst the harsh realities faced by the characters during the Great Depression:

  • The quote reflects the yearning for something beautiful, indulgent and life-affirming in the face of adversity

• Grapes are often associated with luxury and indulgence:

  • The desire for a “whole big bunch” suggests a hunger for more than just sustenance; it suggests an aspiration for a bountiful and prosperous existence

• The imagery of squashing the grapes on the face and letting them run down the chin adds a sensory element to the yearning:

  • It is a vivid image that conveys the desires to experience the richness of life in a tangible and immediate way

• The quote serves as a poignant reminder of the human capacity for hope and dreams, even in the most challenging circumstances:

  • It emphasises the resilience of the human spirit and the universal desire for a better, more abundant life, even if that desire is expressed through seemingly small and personal fantasies

“And still the family stood about like dream walkers, their eyes focused panoramically, seeing no detail, but the whole dawn, the whole land, the whole texture of the country at once” – Narrator, Chapter 10

Meaning and context

• Steinbeck describes the moment of departure for the Joad family

• The family has decided that they no longer wish to delay their journey and so spend the whole night packing and preparing to leave in the morning

Analysis

• This quote captures a moment of collective contemplation and unity within the Joad family, as they face the challenges of the Dust Bowl and the Great Depression 

• The imagery and language used in the quote convey a sense of introspection and connection with the larger landscape and circumstances that surround them

• The phrase “the family stood about like dream walkers” suggests a state of reverie or a dreamlike quality:

  • This imagery implies that they are temporarily detached from the immediate reality, perhaps in a moment of reflection or contemplation

• The description of their eyes being “focused panoramically” suggests a wide, all-encompassing view:

  • This panoramic focus indicates a heightened awareness of the broader context – the dawn, the land and the country as a whole

• This quote could be interpreted as a symbolic moment in the novel:

  • The Joad family, despite their personal struggles, is united in facing the larger issues of their time

• This dreamlike state could also represent the idea of the American Dream and the possibilities and opportunities that await people who pursue the dream:

  • The family is part of a bigger movement of people who migrate via Highway 66 to California, lured by the dream of work and prosperity

Gender roles

In the novel, gender roles are traditional, with men often assuming the roles of breadwinners and decision-makers, while women primarily fulfil domestic and supportive roles. However, as the Joad family faces adversity during the Great Depression, women, particularly Ma Joad, emerge as resilient leaders, challenging traditional gender norms and taking on essential roles in order to navigate the family through hardship.

“Men stood by their fences and looked at the ruined corn, drying fast now, only a little green showing through the film of dust. The men were silent and they did not move often” – Narrator, Chapter 1

Meaning and context

• This is an intercalary chapter in which Steinbeck describes in vivid detail the effects of the drought and wind that carries the dust that destroys crops

• This is the first time that the men are seen in the novel, as they examine the negative impact the dust has had on their crops and how the drought has affected the land

Analysis

• This quote reflects the traditional gender roles during the Great Depression, emphasising the stoic and often silent nature of men in the face of adversity:

  • The image of men standing by their fences and observing the ruined corn suggests a sense of helplessness and introspection

  • They adhere to the societal expectation that men bear the burden of providing for their families

• The description of the men being “silent” and not moving frequently underscores a stoic masculinity associated with enduring hardship without overt emotional expression:

  • This portrayal aligns with traditional gender expectations of men as providers and protectors, coping with challenges through quiet resolve rather than open emotional expression

• While the men are portrayed as stoic observers, it is important to note that the novel also challenges traditional gender roles, especially through characters like Ma Joad:

  • However, at the start of the novel, women are seen as observers and the men are seen as the decision makers

“She seemed to know, to accept, to welcome her position, the citadel of the family, the strong place that could not be taken. And since old Tom and the children could not know hurt or fear unless she acknowledged hurt or fear, she had practiced denying them in herself” – Narrator, Chapter 8

Meaning and context

• In this chapter, Tom surprises his family by arriving home from jail earlier than they thought

• Here, the narrator introduces the character of Ma and is using a metaphor to describe Ma Joad as the “citadel” of her family to highlight how important her role was

Analysis

• This quote illustrates her strength and resilience, emphasising her ability to shoulder the emotional burden for the wellbeing of her family

• The phrase “the citadel of the family, the strong place that could not be taken” paints a vivid picture of Ma Joad as the emotional and symbolic stronghold of the family:

  • This metaphor suggests that she is the central, unassailable figure in the family structure, providing support and stability during difficult times

• The use of “the strong place that could not be taken” implies her determination to protect and preserve the family unit

• This portrayal of Ma Joad reflects the societal pressures on women during the Great Depression, where the traditional role of the mother as the emotional anchor and source of stability was paramount

• The novel also subtly critiques the gender roles of the time:

  • It raises questions about the emotional toll placed on women who had to bear the burdens of their families in a society facing economic hardships and social upheaval

• Through the character of Ma Joad, Steinbeck highlights how the power shifts from the male to the female when a family is presented with difficult situations:

  • Ma Joad goes from being an observer to someone who leads and makes decisions for the benefit of her family

“The eyes of the whole family shifted back to Ma. She was the power. She had taken control.” – Narrator, Chapter 16

Meaning and context

• The Wilsons’ car breaks down and Tom suggests that the rest of the family go ahead to California as he and another member of the group fix the car

• Ma Joad refuses this suggestion and stands her ground until Pa Joad and the rest of the family agree

Analysis

• This quote from “The Grapes of Wrath” underscores the theme of female strength and resilience, particularly embodied in the character of Ma Joad:

  • The eyes of the entire family shifting back to Ma and the acknowledgement that “she was the power” indicate a pivotal moment where Ma assumes a leadership role and takes control of the situation

• The phrase “she was the power” suggests a transfer of authority within the family structure, highlighting Ma Joad’s emergence as a central force and decision maker:

  • This shift challenges traditional gender roles of the time, where men were often expected to be the primary providers and decision makers

• The statement “she had taken control” emphasises not only her newfound leadership, but also her agency in actively seizing control of the family’s direction:

  • This moment is crucial in the context of the novel, which depicts the Joad family’s journey through adversity during the Great Depression

• This quote contributes to the broader theme in “The Grapes of Wrath”:

  • Challenging conventional notions of gender roles and illustrating the strength and resourcefulness of women during difficult times

• Ma Joad becomes a symbol of maternal strength, embodying the capacity of women to navigate and lead their families through hardship and uncertainty

• The family’s recognition of Ma as the one in control signifies a departure from traditional gender norms, providing a subtle exploration of power dynamics within the family unit