The Grapes of Wrath follows the Joad family, tenant farmers driven from their Oklahoma home during the Great Depression and Dust Bowl. Hoping for a better life, they journey to California in search of work, dignity, and survival. Led by the determined Tom Joad and the resilient Ma Joad, the family faces countless hardships along the way—poverty, illness, and exploitation. Their dream of opportunity in the West is met with harsh reality as they encounter overcrowded labor camps, unfair wages, and widespread discrimination.
As the Joads struggle to hold their family together, Steinbeck portrays the broader social injustice faced by thousands of migrant workers. The novel emphasizes themes of human dignity, social inequality, and the power of unity in the face of suffering. Through its moving depiction of the Joads’ endurance and Ma Joad’s unwavering strength, The Grapes of Wrath stands as a powerful critique of capitalism and a timeless tribute to the resilience of the human spirit.
