The Grapes Of Wrath: Conflicts Of The Realism Period

Ava Yannucci

Mr. Williams

Honors English II

28 February 2023

Conflicts of the Realism Period

“If you're in trouble or hurt or need–go to poor people. They're the only ones that'll help–the only ones”, a truthful quote declared by John Steinbeck in his famous novel The Grapes of Wrath. The Grapes of Wrath, one of many famous realist novels during the Naturalism movement in American history, tells a gut-wrenching story of a extremely poor family moving to California after their previous life had gotten ruined by the dust bowl. The portrayal of the economically challenged in this book and many others represents one aspect of all the struggles brought to light by realism literature. April 9, 1964 marked the end of the Civil War in America, which

Economic struggles appeared in many pieces of literature in the naturalistic period, “Just like realism, naturalistic fiction tends to concentrate on the lives of poorer characters, and their lives and living conditions are portrayed completely realistically…. However, while realistic novels usually feature middle class characters, often telling the stories from their points of view, naturalism tends to focus solely on poor or working class characters.” Economic struggles are exemplified in Ethan Frome when the financial struggles of Ethan Frome impact his life and the plot of the novel. Ethan Frome takes care of his wife, Zeena, and financially cannot support her medications. "I'd take you over myself, only I've got to collect the cash for the lumber." As soon as the words were spoken he regretted them, not only because they were untrue- there being no prospect of his receiving cash payment from Hale- but also because he knew from experience the imprudence of letting Zeena think he was in funds on the eve of one of her therapeutic excursions,” (Chapter 3). The environmental struggles in Ethan Frome affect his relationships with people. Ethan Frome experiences hardships in his marriage with Zeena as a result of his own economic struggles. Economic struggles also come up in Outcasts of Poker Flats when John Oakhurst, the Duchess, Mother Shipton, and Uncle Billy get

Society expectations remained prevalent in many pieces of literature from the naturalistic period, “In most theories of the relationship of literature and society reflection, influence, and social control are implied. Literature in interpreted as reflecting norms and values, as revealing the ethos of culture, the processes of class struggle, and certain types of social “facts”.” The poem “Richard Cory” exemplifies social expectations. Cory acted as a refined, upper-class man from head to toe, always looking well-kept and thin and everyone admired him. Cory, a wealthy and well mannered man, which everyone wanted to act as him due to the social expectations. “And Richard Cory, one calm summer night,/Went home and put a bullet through his head,” (Robinson 15-16). The social expectation expected all rich people to act happy with their lives. Richard Cory seemed content with his life, but in reality he struggled and ended his life. Likewise, Horsemen in the Sky displays social expectations. Druse, the son of wealthy Virginian parents, expected that he would fight for the Confederate states. However his conscience compelled him to join a passing Union regiment. “‘Go, Carter, and whatever may occur, do what you conceive to be your duty. Virginia, to which you are a traitor, must get on without you.” Druse followed his heart and disobeyed the social expectations to