The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck is a classic novel which shows normal Americans' lives in one of the harshest periods of American history. The Great Depression affected every family in America. The Joad family was not an exception. This family was kicked off their land in Oklahoma and they decided to rise out of poverty by settling in the "promised land", California. The Joads think that they can start their lives over in California. There hear stories about California having lots of jobs and the family is hopeful that once they reach the "promised land" they will no longer be poor.
             The family begins their journey with twelve family members, and a family friend. The friend, also a preacher, joins the family in the journey. Along the way, the family encounters many problems. Their car breaks down; Grandpa dies; Grandma dies; Rose of Sharon's husband abandons her and their unborn child; one of the sons disappears down the river; another son leaves the family to take a wife; and the preacher, Jim Casy, is murdered. The murder of Jim Casy affects the main character Tom Joad. Tom is now out to get revenge for the murder. The biggest problem the family encounters is the lack of money. There is not enough money to feed the family and maintain the car. Even when the family reaches California, they quickly find out that the rumors of plentiful jobs were false. Only half of the original members are alive at the end of the trip. The family is broken up, poor, jobless, homeless, and hungry. The reader assumes that the family never makes it out of poverty.
             The Grapes of Wrath emphasizes important facts by the use of imagery. For example, the land is referred to as the "Red Earth" in the first chapter. The earth is red from the farmer's blood which means that the farmers are connected to the land. This connection is broken when the farmers are forced off of their land. Once they leave, their...