The Grapes of Wrath

John Steinbeck

Get this SparkNote to go!

Study Questions & Essay Topics

Study Questions

1. Half of the chapters in The Grapes of Wrath focus on the dramatic westward journey of the Joad family, while the others possess a broader scope, providing a more general picture of the migration of thousands of Dust Bowl farmers. Discuss this structure. Why might Steinbeck have chosen it? How do the two kinds of chapters reinforce each other?


2. What is Jim Casy’s role in the novel? How does his moral philosophy govern the novel as a whole?


3. Many critics have noted the sense of gritty, unflinching realism pervading The Grapes of Wrath. How does Steinbeck achieve this effect? Do his character portrayals contribute, or his description of setting, or both?


Suggested Essay Topics

1. Discuss the development of Tom Joad as a character. How does he grow throughout the book? What effects do Jim Casy’s imprisonment and death have on his development?

2. Discuss the ending of the novel. Does it fit aesthetically with the rest of the book? Is it believable for Rose of Sharon to assume the role of a transcendent giver of life? Does the ending effectively embody thematic trends within the novel’s development? Does it provide hope, or does it leave the reader unsettled?

3. The third chapter of the novel depicts a turtle crossing the Oklahoma highway. How does this chapter symbolize the story of the migrants?

4. Think about the book in terms of Steinbeck’s intent for it. Do you think it successfully raises sympathy for the plight of the Dust Bowl farmers, or does it seem untrustworthy in some way?

GOW Chapter 20

by teamME815, August 10, 2012

Tom, after he gets turned away from the north town decides to go around the angry californians to a work camp safe for his family and away from cops

11 out of 21 people found this helpful

2

Role of Ma Joad

by fallen_angel14, August 16, 2012

Ma Joad is basically the only reason the family is still together. She gives support to the family and carries most of the burden

29 out of 32 people found this helpful

0

gr8pz uv raffffff

by UGLYHASSNAA69, November 12, 2012

ma niknaym is r8pz of rafff and how can gr8pz hav raffff? am allergyc 2 gr8pz so ley jst giv me wiiiiiiiind

73 out of 249 people found this helpful

10

More Help

Buy the print The Grapes of Wrath SparkNote on BN.com

The SparkNote you can hold in your hand.

Buy the ebook of this SparkNote on BN.com

Easy to view on your iPod, phone, or ereader.

EVEN MORE HELP! ↓

Take a Study Break

SparkLife

What's your Pretty Little Liars name?

Take this quiz to find out!

SparkLife

Which young actress just got married?

Click to find out!

SparkLife

Cat bearding WINS THE INTERNET

Have you seen this yet?

SparkLife

Scary movies with funny posters

These. Are. Hilarious.

Geek out!

The MindHut

Geeky Actors: Then and Now

Travel back in time!

The MindHut

Villains We Want These Actresses to Play

From super cute to super bad!

The MindHut

10 Movies Better Than Their Books

What do you think?

The MindHut

Summer Movie Open Thread

Leave your thoughts here!

The MindHut

12 Scientific Inaccuracies in Into Darkness

What did Star Trek get wrong?

The Book

Cover image

Order The Grapes of Wrath at BN.com

All the words, printed on paper. Classic!

Cover image

Read What You Love, Anywhere You Like

Get Our FREE NOOK Reading Apps