The Effects of Hostility on the Joad Family essays

The Effects of Hostility on the Joad Family essays Through his most famous novel, The Grapes of Wrath, John Steinbeck depicts the hardships of Oklahoma farmers during the Great Depression. Steinbeck uses the Joad family as an illustration of the average migrant family of 1939. Many events take place during the novel, causing certain characters to change. As a result of some of the cruel events, Ma gains strength, while the attitudes of Tom and Rose of Sharon change. Steinbeck uses many events of harsh treatment towards the Joads to portray the reality of this time period. Although the Joad family does not deserve this hostility, they must work their way through these difficult times. The greedy brokers who buy the Joad's belongings before they travel to California are an example of the unkindness shown to the Joads. These brokers, knowing the banks forced the farmers to sell their belongings, pay extremely low prices for their personal possessions. Unkindness prevails when the Joads encounter the gas station attendant. Assuming the Joads can not afford to pay for their gas, the attendant treats the Joads as if they are thieves. After the Joads arrive at the "Hooverville," a work contractor and policeman show up to recruit workers. Both the contractor and the policeman plan to start trouble. When a man asks a question about the job, the contractor and policeman try to arrest him and start a fight. While arresting this man, the contract or tells the other migrant farmers, "You fellas don't want ta listen to these reds. Troublemakers-they'll get you in trouble" (339). Referring to this man as a "red" provokes and insults the other migrant farmers, initiating a brawl. Throughout the novel, Ma's character attains a higher level of strength. Ma begins the novel as a strong woman and becomes even stronger. During Tom's incarceration, Ma silently mourns Tom's absence for fear she might let the family "break" if she cries publicly. Talking to Tom, Al states, "She [Ma] mour...