The Grapes of Wrath: The Effects of Sudden Poverty

The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck describes how the economic situation in Oklahoma affected families in the 1940s, through the Joad family. Tom Joad, a man who was released of prison, makes his way back home, and finds that his families house is abandoned. Along with a former priest, Jim Casey, and a neighbor Muley Graves, Tom learns that banks evicted almost all the farmers in the area. The three men go to visit Tom’s family, only to find out that they are leaving the state and going to California to find better jobs. Tom, however, is not allowed to leave the state, as he is still in parole. The Great Depression had a huge impact on farmers, as they were forced to leave their homes in order to find better paying jobs. Poverty plays a big role in people’s lives, and sometimes forces us to do things we should not.

Tom Joad is a very easy-going man. Despite spending four years in prison for homicide, he is very carefree and accepts situations easily. Tom’s family is very supportive of him, even after his release from jail. It is clear to him that his family is leaving, and he does not want to be without them. Tom is willing to risk his freedom to be with his family and help them build a life in California. That is a clear example of how poverty affects people; Tom does not care about the consequences of leaving the state, if he can support his family. His entire household is gathered, and they invest everything they earned in the trip. When people live in poorness, there is a big chance they will leave everything behind to find a better life, and what the Joad family is doing holds a substantial risk. Tom’s mother mentions her fear of leaving because there is no guarantee of safe high paying jobs in California. Even Tom’s grandpa refuses to leave, however the family forces him. Moving away to the unknown is terrifying, as they do not know what waits for them there.

The Joad family risk it all to move to a better place. Although they are uncertain of what will happen next, they accept the possibilities and leave together. Ignoring the parole, Tom could face more trouble with law, but still proceeds to go with his family. That is a clear confirmation of how people behave when poor. They do acknowledge the danger of what they are doing, yet they continue because they need to try and change the situation. People have always been encouraged to take large risks to transform their life, so to judge the Joad family would be unfair. Events like this affects everyone differently, and this is how the Joad family decided to handle it.

Works Cited

1. Steinbeck, John. The Grapes of Wrath. Penguin Books, 1939.