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Community In John Steinbeck's The Grapes Of Wrath

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John Steinbeck has been a pillar of American literature for decades. His work, especially Grapes of Wrath and The Harvest Gypsies, helped to shed light on some of the issues that plagued California, and the rest of the United States during the Great Depression. His works accentuate the theme of the importance of community, especially when those with the power to help don 't. These novels take place during the Great Depression, a time when there were very few jobs, little stability, widespread poverty, and diminished hopes for the future. This era sets the stage on which these stories take place. During these harsh times, many people turned to the government or banks for help, but they were turned down by the banks because they wanted a profit, or they bankrupted, and the government 's resources were stretched so low they could only help few people. In The Harvest Gypsies, the migrant workers are seen to band together,but not as much as in Grapes of Wrath. “Noah and Uncle John and the preacher began to unload the truck. They helped Grampa down and sat him on the ground and he sat limply, staring ahead of him. These workers are seen through a lens that makes it seem as though they are …show more content…

"You goddamn right," said Grampa weakly. "Sicker 'n hell." Sairy Wilson walked slowly and carefully toward him. "How 'd you like ta come in our tent?" she asked. "You kin lay down on our mattress an ' rest." He looked up at her, drawn by her soft voice. "Come on now," she said. "You 'll git some rest. We 'll he 'p you over" (Grapes of Wrath 184). Large communities are also formed and supported by the federal government, “The watchman stepped up on the running board. "Drive down the end of that line an ' turn right. You 'll be in Number Four Sanitary Unit." "What 's that?" "Toilets and showers and wash tubs." Ma demanded, "You got wash tubs—running water?" "Sure." "Oh! Praise God," said Ma… Tom 's eyes drew

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