The Grapes of Wrath: Themes-Human Nature

Example after example is given in The Grapes of Wrath to portray humanity. In fact, I can't think of a better universal theme than humanity itself. The novel started out simple with a road, a tortoise, and two vehicles. One car swerved out of the way to avoid hitting the creature and the other hit the helpless tortoise on its side. Why is it that one simple turn of a wheel was the huge difference between an act of kindness and one of disrespect? Then came a corrupt car salesman who uses the farmer's lack of car knowledge and need of a vehicle to sell crap cars for large profits. "Watching for weaknesses" is how they are able to get their big break (Steinbeck 61). The salesmen treated fellow men that were going through very tough times as if they were nothing but dollar signs. Lying to them to get money and knowing that these vehicles would never take them all the way to California. Sadly, it's a cruel trick that shows what kind of people they were. Another example of humanity in The Grapes of Wrath was the store scene with the boys who could afford very little. The shop owner was generous enough to offer them items that they secretly couldn't afford. She saw two needy boys and gave them candy, even if it cost her money. When the opportunity provides itself, I don't understand why people wouldn't do the right thing. It could make someone's day which always results in a satisfied feeling. Whether good or bad, Steinbeck knows how to explain human actions toward each other using great examples.

With the major theme of humanity, John Steinbeck knows not only understands human nature, but also knows how to expose it using relatable examples. The Dust Bowl was a great topic to showcase the good and bad in people because it was a time when Americans showed their true colors. It was smart of Steinbeck to demonstrate positive and negative forms of human nature because it showed migrating Okies side and the California native's side.

 

[Bibliography]

Steinbeck, John. The Grapes of Wrath. New York: Penguin, 2002. Print.