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

The Grapes of Wrath: Themes

Exam responses that are led by key themes and ideas are more likely to reach the highest levels of the mark scheme. Exploring the ideas of the text, specifically in relation to the question being asked, will help to increase your fluency and assurance in writing about the novel.

Below are some of the key themes that could be explored in The Grapes of Wrath. This list is not exhaustive and you are encouraged to also explore any other ideas or themes you identify within the novel:

• Modernisation/industrialisation

• The American Dream

• Gender roles

Modernisation/industrialisation

The second Industrial Revolution changed the structure of American life in the early 20th century, as more people left farming to move to cities in order to meet the demands of the new economy. The Grapes of Wrath explores the themes of industrialisation and modernisation and the impact these things had on labourers and farmers throughout America.

Knowledge and evidence:

• The Joad family, like many others, is forced to leave their traditional agricultural lifestyle due to the mechanisation of farming practices and the environmental devastation caused by the Dust Bowl:

  • The shift from small, family-owned farms to larger, more industrialised business contributes to the widespread displacement of rural communities

• In California, the Joads and other migrant workers face harsh conditions and exploitation at the hands of the powerful who are invested in agriculture:

  • The industrialisation of agriculture has led to the majority of land and resources in the hands of a few

  • This creates a system in which workers are easily exploited, paid low wages and subjected to poor living conditions

  • This time, it is not the Dust Bowl that is preventing farmers from working, but the unfair working conditions due to the land being owned by a powerful few

• The novel illustrates how industrialisation and capitalism can dehumanise individuals, reducing them to mere commodities:

  • The Joads, along with other migrants, are treated as expendable labour rather than as human beings with rights and dignity

  • This dehumanisation is evident in the impersonal treatment they receive from employers and law enforcement

• The mechanisation of agriculture and rapid industrialisation contribute to environmental degradation, as seen in the Dust Bowl:

  • The novel highlights the consequences of unchecked industrial expansion on the land

  • This emphasises the environmental toll of prioritising profit over sustainable practices

• Industrialisation brings to the forefront issues of social injustice and inequality:

  • The Joads face discrimination and hostility as they try to find work in California

  • The novel portrays a society that is divided along class lines, with the wealthy benefiting from the labour of the poor

What are Steinbeck’s intentions?

• Industrialisation exacerbates economic inequalities, and the novel portrays the stark contrast between the wealthy elite and the struggling masses:

  • Steinbeck wanted to highlight the stark differences between how the wealthy are living and how the poor and desperate are being treated

• Large landowners and corporations exploit the labour of the poor:

  • This creates a system where economic power is concentrated in the hands of a few at the expense of the many

• The novel reflects on the profound social, economic and environmental changes brought about by industrialisation in America during the Great Depression

• Steinbeck sought to show the public the realities of being a migrant farmer in America during the Great Depression and how badly treated they were

The American Dream

The concept of the American Dream is the idea that hard work can bring about success and a prosperous life. The novel explores the American Dream through the migrants who leave their home to find prosperity in California.

Knowledge and evidence:

• The Grapes of Wrath provides a critical examination of the American Dream, challenging the traditional narrative that hard work inevitably leads to success and prosperity:

  • Instead, the novel reveals the harsh realities faced by those seeking the American Dream during the Great Depression

• The Joad family, like many others, is lured to California by the promise of prosperity and a better life:

  • However, upon arrival, they discover that the reality is quite different from the dream

  • For many migrants, the American Dream becomes an illusion, as they find themselves facing economic exploitation and social injustice

• The Joads’ journey becomes a struggle for survival rather than a path to success:

  • The dream of a better life is constantly thwarted by economic hardship and environmental challenges, such as the Dust Bowl, and the exploitation of labour

  • The novel, therefore, challenges the notion that hard work alone guarantees success 

• The novel depicts a society marked by class divisions, where the wealthy and powerful control resources while the poor face economic injustice:

  • The American Dream, in this context, seems unattainable for the disenfranchised

  • It highlights the systematic barriers that prevent social and economic mobility for many

• The Joads, like many other families during the Great Depression, lose their homes and face displacement:

  • The dream of owning land and achieving stability is shattered as economic forces beyond their control push them into poverty and uncertainty

  • The novel reflects the broader theme of the loss of the traditional American ideal of home and stability

• Despite the hardships, the novel also emphasises the importance of community and solidarity among the migrant workers:

  • The American Dream, in this context, is not an individual pursuit of success, but a collective effort to resist oppression and improve conditions for all

  • The novel suggests that a revised version of the American Dream might involve a more inclusive and cooperative vision of society

What are Steinbeck’s intentions?

• Steinbeck’s portrayal of the American Dream includes a critique of capitalism and its impact on the lives of ordinary people

• The novel questions the fairness of a system that allows a few to amass great wealth while others struggle to meet basic needs:

  • This challenges the idea that the American Dream is equally accessible to all

• Steinbeck challenges the traditional notion of the American Dream by portraying the harsh realities faced by individuals and families during the Great Depression:

  • The novel suggests that systematic issues such as economic inequality and exploitation can obstruct the path to prosperity for many

  • This prompts readers to reconsider the meaning and attainability of the American Dream

Gender roles

The Grapes of Wrath explores gender roles within the context of the Dust Bowl and the Great Depression. Steinbeck’s novel reflects the societal expectations and challenges faced by men and women during this tumultuous time period. 

Knowledge and evidence:

• The novel initially reflects traditional gender roles of the time, where men were often seen as the primary breadwinners and decision-makers, while women were expected to fulfil domestic roles and support their husbands:

  • This is evident at the start of the novel as the men are the heads of the household and the decision makers

• However, as economic hardships force families like the Joads to adapt to new circumstances, there is a shift in traditional gender roles:

  • With the breakdown of the family farm and the struggle for survival on the road, both men and women must take on roles that were not traditionally assigned to their gender

• Ma Joad emerges as a central figure in the novel, displaying strength, resilience and leadership qualities traditionally associated with men:

  • In the face of adversity, Ma takes charge of the family, making tough decisions and providing emotional support

  • She challenges conventional gender norms and becomes a symbol of maternal strength

• Furthermore, the character of Rose of Sharon undergoes significant development throughout the novel:

  • Initially portrayed as a traditional young wife, she transforms into a more aware and politically engaged woman

  • Her journey reflects the changing roles and expectations for women during this period

• The novel depicts the harsh realities of the Depression era, where economic struggles override traditional gender roles:

  • Both men and women face the challenges of poverty, displacement and exploitation

  • This leads to a shared experience of hardship that transcends gender distinctions

• The novel also highlights instances of solidarity among women:

  • Female characters such as Ma Joad and others in the migrant camps support and help each other, emphasising the importance of community and shared experiences in challenging times

What are Steinbeck’s intentions?

• Steinbeck attempts to portray a complex and evolving picture of gender roles during the Great Depression

• He examines the effectiveness of traditional family structures and highlights how difficult situations can change family dynamics and roles:

  • However, even with the change of dynamics and roles, all members of the family are treated with respect

  • Steinbeck echoes this idea in the intercalary chapters, in which he describes the sense of community and family within the camps

• While it initially reflects traditional expectations, the novel also challenges these norms, showcasing the adaptability and strength of women in the face of unprecedented challenges:

  • The characters, particularly Ma Joad, illustrate a resilience that goes beyond conventional gender roles

  • This highlights the transformative nature of the social and economic upheavals of the time