I read this and Ralph Ellison's "Invisible Man" back-to-back and had very similar opinions about both books (though I ultimately enjoyed Invisible Man a bit more). Replace "migrant" with "immigrant" or "Okie" with "Mexican" (or some other pejorative) and this book could have been written this year. Steinbeck wrote about the "One percent" before it was en vogue and I can understand why this book was controversial when it came out. The characters are well developed and Steinbeck is a master at painting a vivid picture. Unfortunately, I never found the story particular engaging. I can't even imagine trying to read this in high school. Dear, Mrs. Duong My URL for book report is the story of The Grape of Wrath written and published by John Steinbeck in 1939. the story begins just after Tom Joad is paroled from McAlester prison for homicide. Tom Joad is the Protagonist of the story, the Joad family's second son, named after his father. Later on, Tom takes leadership of the family even though he is young. On his return to his home near Sallisaw, Oklahoma, Tom meets former preacher Jim Casey, whom he remembers from his childhood, and the two travel together. Jim Casey is a former preacher who lost his faith. He is a Christ-like figure and is based on Ed Ricketts. When they arrive at Tom's childhood farm home, they find it deserted. Disconcerted and confused, Tom and Casey meet their old neighbor, Muley Graves, who tells them the family has gone to stay at Uncle John Joad's home nearby. Graves tells them that the banks have evicted all the farmers off their land, but he refuses to leave the area. The next morning, Tom and Casey go to Uncle John's. Tom finds his family loading a converted Hudson truck with what remains of their possessions; with their crops destroyed by the Dust Bowl, the family had to default on their loans. With their farm repossessed, the Joads hope to go to work in California, described in handbills as fruitful and offering high pay. The Joads put everything they have into making the journey. Although leaving Oklahoma would be breaking parole, Tom decides it is worth the risk, and invites Casey to join him and his family. Traveling west on Route 66, the Joad family find the road crowded with other migrants. In makeshift camps, they hear many stories from others, some returning from California, and worry about lessening prospects. Along the road, Grandpa dies and they bury him in a field; Granma dies close to the California state line; and both Noah (the eldest Joad son) and Connie Rivers (the husband of the pregnant Joad daughter, Rose of Sharon) split from the family. Noah Joad is not just the oldest son, he is the first to leave the family, planning to live off fishing on the Colorado River. Injured at birth, described as "strange", he may have slight learning difficulties. Reaching California, they find the state oversupplied with labor, so wages are low and workers are taken advantage of. The big corporate farmers are in collusion, and smaller farmers suffer from collapsing prices. A Weedpatch Camp, one of the clean, utility-supplied camps operated by the Resettlement Administration, a New Deal agency, offers better conditions, but does not have enough resources to care for all the needy families. As a Federal facility, the camp protects the migrants from harassment by California deputies. In response to the exploitation, Casy becomes a labor organizer and tries to recruit for a labor union. The remaining Joads work as strikebreakers in a peach orchard where Casy is involved in a strike that eventually turns violent. when Tom Joad witnesses Casy's fatal beating, he kills the attacker and flees as a fugitive. The Joads later leave the orchard for a cotton farm, where Tom is at risk for the homicide. In response Tom and Jim had this quote to say “ How can you frighten a man whose hunger is not only in his own cramped stomach but in the wretched bellies of his children? You can't scare him – he has known a fear beyond every other. ” — Chapter 19 He bids farewell to his mother, promising to work for the oppressed. Rose of Sharon's baby is stillborn. Ma Joad remains steadfast and forces the family through the bereavement. With rain, the Joads' dwelling is flooded, and they move to higher ground. In the final chapter of the book, the family take shelter from the flood in an old barn. Inside they find a young boy and his father, who is dying of starvation. Rose of Sharon takes pity on the man and offers him her breast, so that he can be saved. Hers is the only action taken by a member of the Joad family that is not futile. This concludes my book report sincerely Victor Ramirez
What do You think about As Vinhas Da Ira (1936)?
This is perfect reading for our new post-recession era.
—Marie
As American as Gone with the wind. Great experience.
—Chloe0798
