Censorship in Grapes of Wrath
The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck is considered a classic novel by many in the literary field. The trials and tribulations of the Joad family and other migrants is told throughout this novel. In order to gain a perspective into the lives of "Oakies", Steinbeck uses themes and language of the troubling times of the Great Depression. Some of these aspects are critiqued because of their vulgarity and adult nature. In some places, The Grapes of Wrath has been edited or banned. These challenges undermine Steinbeck's attempts to add reality to the novel and are unjustified. In 1939, The Grapes of Wrath was published and came under fire for its content. Vulgarity and the misrepresentation of a preacher were the main complaints that led to the ban and burning of the novel from St. Louis, Missouri libraries in September 1939. Vulgarity may be prevalent in the book, but it has its purpose. Steinbeck used some vulgar terms to accurately represent the lingo and slang that was used by the people of the 1930's. Most of the terms that were considered vulgar may be a bit distasteful, but is
"But I ain't a preacher no more" is spoken many times by Casy in denial that he is a man of the cloth. The Grapes of Wrath does not have any of these above aspects. The target audience, ages over 14, can look beyond the visual picture and fully ascertain the section's deeper meaning. Without these individual beliefs of the "reds" and other people that showed either socialistic or anti-establishment messages, the reader would get a dry, unfulfilled perspective of the lives of people during the Great Depression. Steinbeck was not advocating socialism, he was just reflecting the times. Another point of controversy lies on The Grapes of Wrath's closing sequence. There are many things that are too risque, degrading, and should not be shown. Some believe this is pornographic, sexually oriented, and improper, especially for young children. Casy did not consider himself a minister at the time The Grapes of Wrath takes place. Indeed, Casy is brutally killed in the novel, but it does not go into graphic, violent detail. Casy, the former preacher that was traveling with the Joads, is not be given the connotation as the most holy man. These readers may never fully understand the lives of migrants in the 1930's . As much as political correctness advocates would like to change things for the better, they cannot change the past no matter how hard they try. nothing that is not heard on the streets today. Once again, Casy's feelings against the employers and government were common to the time and were used to state that idea.
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