Is the theme of Grapes of Wrath valuable enough to help the reader with a similar issue in contemporary society? Why or why not?
Steinbeck, J. (2006). The Grapes of Wrath. New York, NY: Penguin Classics.
" How can we live without our lives? How will we know it's us without our past? No. Leave it. Burn it."( Steinbeck, J. (2006), Ch. 9, pg. 112). In the book The Grapes of Wrath, you get a sense of what it would have felt like if you lived during the Depression. The story focused on the lives of the Joad Family and their struggle to start a new life and leave their old life behind. Having to start anew and leave everything behind not knowing if you will be able to pick up and start again. I feel that this issue is what many individuals are going through in today’s society. It seems like it wouldn’t be happening now in 2016, but it is.
The Joad family had to get up and move and leave what they had built behind when their land and home were taken away. But like many others in that era or time period, that was the norm. Many lost their homes, jobs, families, and life during the Depression. The theme of this book can be related to what is happening now to many people around the world. If you watch the news you see many having to leave their homes due to the Islamic State, Corruption and the government. In the U.S. many cannot afford insurance, their homes, and food due to the market and government… My grandparents are an example of that.
It is remarkable to think that The Grapes of Wrath theme does compare to issues happening now and were in the year 2016. Moving on is what the theme focuses on. When things get rough, we need to pick up and move on. The Joad family had their struggles with losing their home, family, sense of self, jobs, money, and dignity. I can say that my mom and my family can relate to this theme of moving on. My mom has had many struggles in her life along with her parents. She has had many health issues from her MS to a cancer scare...