"The Grapes of Wrath" by John Steinbeck.

Essay by Katherine1085High School, 12th gradeA+, September 2003

download word file, 3 pages 4.0 2 reviews

"...Sometimes, a guy'll be a good guy even if some rich bastard makes him carry a sticker," (11) says Tom Joad as the reader is introduced to him. Right away, one learns what kind of man Tom is. He's obviously kind and giving, and he expects it from everyone else around him. In John Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath, the reader is introduced to the entire Joad family from Oklahoma. It is not surprising to learn that every member of the Joad family is identical to Tom in their ways of kindness and generosity. The Joads, like most other families in Oklahoma, are moving west to California. The novel is set during the Great Depression when thousands of acres of crops have been destroyed in the mid-western United States. Along their journey west, the Joads encounter many people, some of whom are in need of help and the Joads are quick to assist them each time.

This novel proves that one's responsibility extends beyond the immediate family to include any human in need.

In the early stages of their journey, the Joads meet Ivy and Sarah (Sairy) Wilson, a couple from Kansas, stranded with a broken-down car. Sairy is very ill, but she and her husband welcome the Joads. Neither of the Wilsons have ever met any of the Joads, but the first words that come out of Sairy's mouth are: "Tell 'em welcome, tell 'em good an' welcome." (183) The Joads soon learn that the car trouble and Sairy's illness have slowed the Wilson's progress and depleted their finances. However, the Wilsons are still willing to do whatever they can to help. When Granpa is on his death bed, Ivy Wilson says nothing but, "We're proud to help." (189) Later, Al offers to fix the Wilson's car, saying "I'll...