1. The Grapes of Wrath Review

2. Themes All of the themes are clearly developed throughout the novel. All of the themes are clearly developed throughout the novel. The themes are developed both through the plot involving the Joad family and through Steinbeck’s social commentary. The themes are developed both through the plot involving the Joad family and through Steinbeck’s social commentary. In particular, the theme of the individual vs. society is reflected through many different characters. In particular, the theme of the individual vs. society is reflected through many different characters.

3. Importance of the Social Commentary Steinbeck felt it was more important than the narrative of the Joad family. Steinbeck felt it was more important than the narrative of the Joad family. What are some examples of the social commentary? What are some examples of the social commentary? How do the intercalary chapters contribute to the expression of social commentary? How do the intercalary chapters contribute to the expression of social commentary?

4. Relevance to Today Obviously, today’s financial conditions may be compared to the financial collapse of the 1930s. Obviously, today’s financial conditions may be compared to the financial collapse of the 1930s. But…how would Steinbeck’s message change if he were writing about our current financial situation? But…how would Steinbeck’s message change if he were writing about our current financial situation? Who are today’s business and government leaders who would figure into a modernized version of The Grapes of Wrath? Who are today’s business and government leaders who would figure into a modernized version of The Grapes of Wrath?

5. Mixed Appeal Consider why Steinbeck’s prose in The Grapes of Wrath is hard for some high school students to read and finish. Consider why Steinbeck’s prose in The Grapes of Wrath is hard for some high school students to read and finish. How did the social conditions of the 1930s contribute to the novel’s mixed reception when it was first published? (Remember: it was burned publicly at the same time that it had long waiting lists at public libraries.) How did the social conditions of the 1930s contribute to the novel’s mixed reception when it was first published? (Remember: it was burned publicly at the same time that it had long waiting lists at public libraries.)

6. Jim Casy/Jesus Christ Steinbeck makes careful connections between the character of Jim Casy and Jesus Christ. Steinbeck makes careful connections between the character of Jim Casy and Jesus Christ. What are some examples of this? What are some examples of this? Does this parallel to Christ contribute to or detract from the quality of The Grapes of Wrath? Does this parallel to Christ contribute to or detract from the quality of The Grapes of Wrath?

7. The Great Depression Everyone became a victim. Everyone became a victim. How did the Depression affect people of all social classes? How did the Depression affect people of all social classes? Consider some examples from The Grapes of Wrath that show how both the migrants and the landowners were impacted by the financial crisis. Consider some examples from The Grapes of Wrath that show how both the migrants and the landowners were impacted by the financial crisis.

8. The Character of Tom Joad Tom Joad is a dynamic character. Tom Joad is a dynamic character. Consider some examples of how Tom goes through changes during the novel. Consider some examples of how Tom goes through changes during the novel. What is the nature of these changes in terms of Tom’s view of himself and the world? What is the nature of these changes in terms of Tom’s view of himself and the world? In what significant ways does Jim Casy’s philosophy affect Tom? In what significant ways does Jim Casy’s philosophy affect Tom?

9. In Summary… Themes Themes Importance of the Social Commentary Importance of the Social Commentary Relevance to Today Relevance to Today Mixed Appeal Mixed Appeal Jim Casy/Jesus Christ Jim Casy/Jesus Christ The Great Depression The Great Depression The Character of Tom Joad The Character of Tom Joad