There are many examples in The Grapes of Wrath that show not only that
Steinbeck thought that prejudice was an issue to be concerned with, but also it showed
his thoughts and feelings towards the subject. Three examples of prejudice are shown
during encounters with other people that have already been there. On the way to
California, the Joad's encountered other people that had already been to California and
were now returning. One of these encounters, with the ragged man with the sunburned
face, is described on page 242. The ragged man had children that died because wages
were too low and work was too scarce to afford food for his children and wife. His story
was one of pain and despair and was evidence of the cruel and inhumane treatment which
resulted from the California farmers prejudice towards the migrant workers.
Later, the Joad's stop by a river where Tom and his Father find a spot to go
swimming. They are promptly joined by two men, a man and his son, who asked if they
may also join them in swimming. The men start talking and it turns out that the other two
men have just come from California. They tell a story describing the conditions as very
unsafe and uncomfortable and mention the prejudice against the workers. Subsequently
the Joad's paid no attention to this warning either. Hence, they traveled on, only to meet
up with a very dispassionate police officer.
The police officer gave the Joad's a first hand acount of the prejudice that
Californians had against the migrant workers. The policeman treated the migrants with
no respect. This officer, who undoubtedly had taken an oath to uphold the law and
promote the public good, would have been more happy to see the Joad's drop off the face
of the earth than see them in California.
The Corollary, chapter Nineteen, deals with the history of California, and how it
was settled by the feverish Americans. Thro...