Interchapters In The Grapes Of Wrath

In the classic American novel, The Grapes of Wrath, the author, John Steinbeck, employs a unique structure in the organization of the chapters. Instead of writing the novel as one continuous storyline, Steinbeck alternates between chapters concerning the actual characters and so-called “interchapters” discussing the general situation governing the characters. The storyline chapters follow a detailed plot, illustrating every part of the Joads’ journey and demonstrating how the family is affected by the circumstances surrounding it. In contrast, the interchapters provide historical context by discussing the general physical and cultural issues present in the story. By using various styles to convey his points, Steinbeck attests to his own versatility as an author in these chapters. Chapter Nineteen–an

All the while, the angered migrants look lustfully at the plentiful land, hoping for a small piece with which to feed their starving families. One way in which Steinbeck effectively imparts key points in this chapter is through the skillful use of repetition. He essentially repeats the phrase “And all the time the farms grew larger and the owners fewer” (242) three times while explaining historical context. This use of repetition evokes suspense, as an issue is raised which faces a looming, unavoidable resolution. Only a few paragraphs later, this resolution is introduced: the migrants. To effectively convey the plight of the migrants, Steinbeck tells the thoughts of an imaginary Oakie: “such a man drove along the roads and knew temptation at every field, and knew the lust to take these fields and make them grow strength for his children…” (245). Through this omniscient look inside the mind of an ordinary migrant, the desires, intentions, and temptations of the migrants collectively are made legitimate and authentic. Steinbeck’s use of the word “grow” in