John Steinbeck Experiencing the Dust Bowl Essay - 1364 Words

The 1930s were a decade of great change politically, economically, and socially. The Great Depression and the Dust Bowl wore raw the nerves of the people, and our true strength was shown. From it arose John Steinbeck, a storyteller of the Okies and their hardships. His books, especially The Grapes of Wrath, are reflections of what really went on in the 1930s. John Steinbeck did not write about what he had previously read, he instead wrote what he experienced through his travels with the migrant workers. His method was not to present himself notebook in hand and interview people. Instead he worked and traveled with the migrants as one of them, living as they did and arousing no suspicion from employers militantly alert against†¦show more content†¦Steinbeck had been aware of the labor problems in his state of California, but for these articles he wanted to experience it firsthand. For inspiration for his articles, and also what would turn out to be the inspiration for Gra pes of Wrath, he visited the farms outside his native Salinas and also visited the squatter camps near Bakersfield (Lisca 12-14). These visits to the squatter camps led to his creation of the Weedpatch camp in Grapes of Wrath. A few years later, Steinbeck returned to California to write Grapes of Wrath and to further research the flawed California labor. He was not, however, merely researching materials for his next book, but passionately involved in the suffering and injustice (Lisca 16). His fervor for the migrant cause almost lead him to abandon his recent writing and revise Of Mice and Men and sell it so he could donate to money to the migrant workers. In early September 1936, Steinbeck went back to Salinas to find that there was a violent clash between growers and workers over a strike that resulted in riots and killings. This turned Steinbeck upside down, because now it was not only something happening in California, but was happening in the town where he grew up. While visiting migrant camps that were being flooded by the torrential rain in Visalia, he was filled with anger at the conditions in which these people were living (DeMott 3). The people were living inShow MoreRelated John Steinbeck: Experiencing the Dust Bowl Essay1346 Words   |  6 Pages The 1930’s were a decade of great change politically, economically, and socially. The Great Depression and the Dust Bowl wore raw the nerves of the people, and our true strength was shown. From it arose John Steinbeck, a storyteller of the Okies and their hardships. His books, especially The Grapes of Wrath, are reflections of what really went on in the 1930’s. John Steinbeck did not write about what he had previously read, he instead wrote what he experienced through his travels with the migrantRead MoreGrapes Of Wrath Literary Analysis997 Words   |  4 PagesThe Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck uses numerous literary techniques to advocate for change in the social and politi cal attitudes of the Dust Bowl era. Simile, personification, and imagery are among the many devices that add to the novel’s ability to influence the audience’s views. Moreover, through his use of detail, Steinbeck is able to develop a strong bond between the reader and the Joad clan. This bond that is created evokes empathy from the audience towards the Joads as they face numerousRead MoreWhen Creating His Short Stories/Novels, John Steinbeck1665 Words   |  7 PagesWhen creating his short stories/novels, John Steinbeck focused on what it meant to be human. He included life experiences and really fed off of that in many of his writings. 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Being united in a group provides people theRead MoreJohn Steinbecks use of Realism, Characterization, and Dreams in The Grapes of Wrath and Of Mice and Men2450 Words   |  10 PagesJohn Ernst Steinbeck has written many award winning novels, some of which has even been produced as plays that captured audiences everywhere. Steinbeck wrote about real life experiences using realism, characterization, and dreams to emphasize his poi nts and make an impact on his readers in order to reform or change society. The realism used in Steinbecks works is not only effective in informing the reader of circumstances that should be changed, but this nineteenth century literary style also createsRead MoreEssay on Grapes Of Wrath2532 Words   |  11 Pages The Grapes of Wrath nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;John Steinbeck wrote The Grapes of Wrath, a remarkable novel that greatly embodied the entire uprisal of the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl in the 1930’s. The usage of imagery and symbolism help to support his many different themes running through the course of the novel. His use of language assisted in personifying the many trials and tribulations which the Joad family, and the rest of the United States, was feeling at the time. This wasRead MoreThe Grapes Of Wrath By John Steinbeck1579 Words   |  7 Pages In the two texts A Fine Balance (1995) by Rohinton Minstry and The Grapes of Wrath (1939) by John Steinbeck, the idea that adverse experiences impact an individual’s beliefs is explored through the different ways that the composers of both texts convey how living in a hostile environment and loss can change an individual’s personal philosophy. Throughout the two texts it is apparent that a hostile and oppressive society exists and through the use of various techniques, the authors reveal how livingRead MoreAnalysis Of Steinbeck s The Passage 2133 Words   |  9 PagesSteinbeck magnificently developed the passage, due to he beautifully transitioned the setting from a melancholy atmosphere to a hopeful, and joyful environment, using excellent language, which adds emotion to the connotation to Ma’s words. As an illustration, in the passage Ma Joad states she currently feels forlorn, due to she is recalling her loved ones that she has lost throughout her journey to the government camp. However, the rationale for her mood is, due to she is overwhelmed by the wonderful