When you read the book
The Grapes of Wrath, there is a universal theme that separates everybody. Wealth is the object that separates everybody into the groups of society. Wealth establishes the rich from the poor. Unfortunately it signifies what you have and what you do not have. It can be said the same for today. You either are in the high class, middle class, or the low class. It really sounds awful to put it this way, but it is what it is. In the book, you are either a tenant farmer, who works the land, or the landowner who possesses the land. The other theme that is key in this book is family. Sticking together when the going gets tough, helps the Joads get through the tough times. "We ain't a-gonna do it. No, sir. We got almost a kin bond. Grampa, he died in your tent." (Steinbeck, 167). Even though the Wilson's car broke down, they told the Joads to get going. They refused because they had become one. Even though they were of no relation, the sense of being together made them feel like family. Even now in this day and age, family is what gets you through things. You do not want to admit it, but who is there for you when you are in trouble or need something? Your family is and without you would feel unwanted and unneeded. Fortunately, the Joads and I have family that will bring us up when we are down.
John Steinbeck (the author) understands the struggles of the not so wealthy people (I do not like saying poor, it puts a bad adjective on people). He understands that the unwealthy people have to work harder than anybody else to make a living. Going along with the themes, he understands that family is there for us to get through bad times. He writes this book from a family's hardships, instead of an individual, so that the family can come to each other for advice.
Bibliography
Steinbeck, John. The Grapes of Wrath. New York: Penguin, 2002. Print.
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