Read the article below and post your comments/questions. Also, any overall comments on the book as a whole in relation to the article are fine.

5/7/2014

The Grapes of Wrath resonates 75 Years Later

Dan

5/7/2014 06:23:36

After reading the article the thing that stuck in my mind the most would have to be where it says in the article " We are human beings. There is one comfort we're meant to have even when we have nothing else. Each other." This connects to the novel very nicely in the end when rose of sharon breast feeds that starving old man. I cant even believe that she did that it takes alot of heart to help somebody you dont know very well but to breast feed them to live thats remarkable. I like this line because even in todays world it makes a difference to somebody when they are in a time of great need of assisstence and they get a helping hand from another human being who cares for them.

Madisen Kuppich

5/7/2014 06:47:35

The last line of the article really stuck out to me. The line being, "It is a lesson for then, for now, forever. We are human beings. There is one comfort we're meant to have even when we have nothing else. Each other." This line has a lot of significance throughout the novel. The family has nothing: no permanent shelter, minimal food, and frayed clothing. The one thing they do have is each other. Family spirit is what keeps them alive during the novel. Although it may darken or deplete as making their way to California, it remains alive. Outside people also play in big role in the survival of the family. Ma says in the novel, "whenever you need something, go to the poor, they always help." An example would be the Wilson family on their journey to California and all of the other families in the camps they stay at. To me this is a significant theme in the novel. Whenever anyone would be down and out of luck, someone would always be there to help. The most memorable, reflecting scene on which these quotes reflect would have to be Rose of Sharon breastfeeding the starving man. It goes to show that in the darkest and lowest situations, we have each other. This lesson will last forever. No matter how old or young, whatever the situation may be, we ultimately need each other. I think that this is a very important theme described in the article and reflected throughout the novel

Paige

5/8/2014 04:47:36

"This was an angry book." I like how the article starts with this because it was banned and burned in so many cities. I like how it talks about the quote "Wherever they's a fight so hungry people can eat, I'll be there. Wherever they's a cop beatin' up a guy, I'll be there..." I think that this was one of the most important quotes in the book because it showed how much Tom had grown throughout the book. A huge theme of this book is the poor helping the poor. All they had was each other so family and friends was all they had to keep themselves going. They didn't have a permanent home and they didn't know where their next meal was going to come from. I like this article because it highlights the major themes and important parts in the book.

Jordan Fiske

5/8/2014 04:59:33

I really like this article because it discusses the impact of the book on society and how the book changed some peoples views on the migrant issues especially the first lady of the era, Eleanor Roosevelt. Even though it was a fictional novel based on true events, I'm sure every aspect of the novel felt realistic to the readers of the day. The final chapters touch heavily on the topic of having each other and only needing that fact to get through hardships. When a person or family is struggling, others join in to help. One thing that i really like from the article was when the author said "There's always someone who has it worse." This observation is very evident in the final chapter. Everyone is suffering the effects of the rain and Rose of Sharon loses her baby which is just about as bad as it gets, but then they come across somebody on the fringe of death and i think that the reader can infer that Rose of Sharon becomes selfless in her actions and she realizes things could be worse.

Jordan Fiske

5/8/2014 05:02:00

Brink of death*

Camille

5/8/2014 05:03:19

"the promises of the promised land receding like a wave from shore"
This quote almost exactly resembles the last sentence from My Antonia. I like how the theme of waves shows through a lot of what we've read this year. It symbolizes so much about life and hardships that its almost relate-able to anything.

Elise

5/8/2014 10:55:32

The main idea from the article is that humans have each other and this book is a good illustration of that. I think of the "I to we" interchapter and how up to that point the Joad family only really watched out for themselves. Once they experience the extreme poverty, however, they think they have it bad but Steinbeck always seemed to illustrate someone worse off. Ma said in the book how the poor help the poor rather than rich helpin the poor. I think thats because the poor understand and they are more of the "we" or the greater soul that Casy thinks about when he talks about his experience in the wilderness.

Marissa

5/8/2014 12:15:53

This article expresses the Joad family's teamwork. In the beginning of the book each family member was a separate person. As the story progresses and the family's condition worsens the family becomes one. Each member finds their place and they bind together as one unit. Ma really keeps the family together. I believe that one of the biggest images of teamwork in the novel is when Rose of Sharon sacrifices herself for the dying man. With our current economic status similar to the one during the depression, maybe some teamwork is what our county needs. Thinking less about ourselves and more about others less fortunate. This is what I believe teamwork is, caring for every member of your team. In this case our team is our country, and if our country could come together as one, we might be able to overcome our difficulties like the Joads did.

Erik

5/9/2014 00:00:28

Although the book is about sticking together through difficult times, the statement still stands: it was an angry book. The Joads suffer one misfortune after another, losing members of their entourage along the way, but they carry on through the entire story, never truly giving up hope.

Mya

5/9/2014 00:18:38

I really like the way this article was written. It isn't openly offensive but it kind of reproaches the populace for sitting back and letting someone else take the reins on their life. The Joads understand that and do not stand for it, but they will always stand for each other and 'their own kind.'

Molly

5/9/2014 00:24:45

I like how the article begins, because we don't always think about the overarching emotion of a book, just the emotion in certain parts. I thought that was interesting, because I guess it's really true. But I didn't really like the way that the article ended; "It is a lesson for then, for now, forever. We are human beings. There is one comfort we're meant to have even when we have nothing else. Each other." I understand that the author is saying why the book still resonates today, but I don't think the book ended on as positive of a note as the author is making it seem. Prior to the end of the book, it was about getting through tough times with your family by your side, and then right at the end Ma splits up the family. In the book, part of losing everything is losing the ones you love. So we don't have the "each other" that we want. So the article ends on comfort, but the ending of the book is about un-comfort. I understand what the author is getting at, but he's really sugar-coating it.

Katie

5/9/2014 00:25:11

Its not really the whole point of the article but it does point out how timeless the book is. Even today we as readers can still relate the the different situations that come up. Also at the end of the articles it talk are the comfort we are meant to have, and i really think Steinbeck would agree. But also i think Steinbeck was trying to make a point of knowing to let go, as Ma did when Tom had to leave. So having each other is important but knowing to let go is too.

Kaley

5/9/2014 03:11:33

I like where the article says "But there is always someone who has it worse......" I liked this because I thought it was such an accurate way to describe the Joads outlook on life. They have struggled so much and been through so much yet that doesnt matter to them because the way they see it, someone always has it worse than they do. This helps them to not only remain motivated and see the "bright side" but it also helps them to be genuinely good people as they always do their best to help others no matter what hard ships they are facing themselves. I also think that not only is this a good theme in the book, but its a good thing to take from this book and apply to your own life.

Ethan

5/9/2014 03:13:54

I like the comment the article made about someone having it worse off than the joads. Even though it seemed like they had absolutely nothing left and were reduced to almost nothing there was someone in a worse condition. Rose of Sharon also realized this and offered what little she had left, and that was her breast milk.

Thomas

5/9/2014 03:16:40

I like how this article connected the novel to the Occupy movement from a few years ago. I agree with the article's assertion that John Steinbeck probably would have supported the movement. The movement showed people joining together to fight oppression and injustice in an unfavorable environment just like the migrants did in the novel. Bruce Springsteen reciprocates Steinbeck's anger from the Grapes of Wrath with the song "Death to My Hometown" that's referenced in the article. The lyrics are angry and bitter, sounding as though they could have come from the pen of Steinbeck himself. I guess the article could be seen as proof of what Steinbeck was getting at, people working together for the benefit of everyone.

Rachel

5/9/2014 03:18:03

Like the majority of the other comments, I thought that the part that stood out the most to me was the last line, I really liked this article and how it pointed out the selflessness of Rose of Sharon, when she helps that man in the barn...that last line really stuck with me because of the way it says "There is one comfort we're meant to have even when we have nothing else. Each other." I think that it really put what I saw as the essence of the book in two short sentences. I really saw the importance of unity, family and just mankind as one of the major themes in this book and I thought this article really captured that message.

Amanda Kuhlmann

5/9/2014 03:24:27

As I read the comments made by other students, I realize a lot of them have this one quote from the article..." It is a lesson for then, for now, forever. We are human beings. There is one comfort we're meant to have even when we have nothing else...each other." I can understand why, this line of the article makes you realize things know one really thinks about. It's true though. Being with a whole instead of an individual goes a long way. Another thing that the article points out is we're basically going through another Great Depression but this time people are getting mad and it's good that we are actually getting a reaction out of people. Steinbeck would be happy.

Tias

5/9/2014 03:25:01

I liked how this article talked about the books impact on people when it was published. The article says it was an angry book. The book made people angry, fueled hatred, and offended people. This book changed how people looked at each other. I also liked how the article related the book to the recent recession.

jenna

5/9/2014 03:27:49

I really enjoyed this article because it brought the book the grapes of wrath into real life. It spoke not only of how it impacted society back when but it also compared it to society nowadays. "Freshly relevant to this era of wealth disparity, rapacious banks and growing poverty." The story of the Joads was set to be a problem of just that era, but if you put it into a broader spectrum, it is still a continuing problem. In that day and age people couldn't accept that the rich people they looked up to and maybe were, were doing this to the unwealthy. Maybe that is why they went through a stage of rage and burned the book. The Joads are the definition of teamwork, maybe this is what our present and past economy needed and they just couldn't accept it. This novel is truly timeless.

Jeremy Paulbeck link

5/9/2014 03:35:08

I like the way this article connects the subject of the book to our current times, and really cements the connection between the Joad family and all families who are struggling to make ends meet. Like the article says, the "ideal Steinbeck insists upon" still is relevant and "resonates even across a gulf of 75 years", and that ideal is one that is timeless enough to live on to this day.

David link

5/9/2014 03:37:23

This article was interesting. It opens with that the book was angry. Along the same lines as Paige I think it's a good point because of the anger that this book caused for some people. It makes me think back to the wallstreet movement and how angry they were because of the uneven distribution of cash.

Lisa

5/9/2014 03:41:54

When they say it was a an angry book I think of it more of the reaction to the book was angry rather than the book itself being being angry. So many people had a negative reaction to the book coming out and the information it contained. Even though this book spoke the truth and even witnesses to the time period say that the book is accurate in what actually happened, people still thought of it as a threat and an injustice to the farmers there. They were deeply hurt by what thy had to say about the way the farmers were.

JOseph

5/9/2014 03:42:51

Personally I didn't really think it was an angry book, in fact I thought pretty much the opposite. I guess I usually associate anger with violence, but there wasn't a whole lot if violence in the book.

5/9/2014 03:43:52

Lot of violence

Laura

5/9/2014 03:52:33

There is always someone who has it worse. That's an important statement which to me speaks volumes. In times of the greatest struggle, we need to look to eachother. Because no matter who you are, or wht the origin of your struggle is, somehow you'll get through it with the help, and helping others. This artical does a great job of explaining this, while using the obvious example of Rosasharn.

Nic

5/9/2014 03:55:05

Like Joseph I also don't think the book is angry. Instead I think the book is an idea of how people can come together and survive. I would of considered this book angry if it was actually talking about the horrible things people do. Instead it's written in desperation to help the poorest or the poor people.

Edward link

5/9/2014 04:04:20

I really liked how this article connected the book to human behavior and the human condition. I like the hopeful attitude towards human connection and compassion. It's clearly stated how this novel relates to people living in poverty during any time period. Overall, this was a good read, and I found it's relevance to real life satisfying.

Emili

5/9/2014 04:05:57

I liked how this article connected the book to today's economic problems. Obviously we're not to that point yet but I thought it was a valid point. I also appreciated how the author worded things. He got his point across in an eloquent manor. A good point he made is how media (books) can affect a whole country and bring about an important change in our world. Books can be more influential than most people recognize I think.

Tyler Kangas

5/9/2014 04:48:45

After reading this article, I found it very interesting how big of an impact it had. It even was brought to the White House! The article also expressed how tough the Joads had it and despite this were still willing to help others. At the end of the story they had nothing going for them, but they still managed to keep motivated.

Amanda Wiethorn (absent the day this was discussed)

5/12/2014 03:38:43

I like this article because it seemed to have such a big impact on society, especially because it helps shape the book and make the book a less evil thing. I think the line where it says "This is an angry book," is important because even while many of us would pair anger with violence, we don't see much violence in the book. But we see dispossession and jealousy and suffering, and that makes for frustrating and angry people and times. I also think it's important when they say somebody always has it worse, because it makes me think that maybe that's why Ma is so optimistic and strong.. because she understands that she isn't the only one struggling, and somebody out there has it worse than she does, so she's just thankful to have kids and family and be alive and okay, while other people are sick and dying because of the Dust Bowl.

Emily DuRose (also absent when assigned this blog)

5/15/2014 13:30:54

The main purpose of this article is to show us that people go through hard times and as long as we have each other we will all be ok. This relates very much to The Grapes of Wrath because of how much the family sticks together. When the article relates the books hard times to the hard times of today, I get a little curious. Today, I don't see many people helping other people for the good feeling. I think people today are more for doing things for others if there is some type of reward or pay back. If things get worse and worse, I am curious to see if people will help each other or be more individual. When times change, people change too. If things do get really bad, I hope that people wise up and see the good that comes through with doing good deeds.

Read the article below and post your comments/questions. Also, any overall comments on the book as a whole in relation to the article are fine.

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