IDEAS:
- Did you read the introduction? How did this information shape your reading experience?
- The book has received both acclaim and criticism. How do you perceive Steinbeck's novel?
- How did the book enrich your understanding of history?
- Other overall thoughts, ideas, questions?
I can see where both acclaim and criticism is coming from. Although I may recieve my own criticism for saying this, I think that book could've been written a whole lot simpler! I don't think i'm alone when I say I didn't know what Steinbeck was talking about until I went through a second time. & yes, i'm aware of when it was written, but I still think it could've been written differently. Now for the acclaim, I think the book was a real eye opener! Like many people from this class I have covered The Great Depression in school already, but not like that. I had an idea of how bad it was, but Th Grapes of Wrath's detail made me cringe in the thought of the difficulties they faced. I give Steinbeck acclaim for reaching me as he did with many others.
ReplyDeleteAbbey makes a good point in saying criticism and praise to the Grapes of Wrath is both understandable. The manner of speech of the characters, while probably realistic, was troublesome to read through and, to a degree, difficult to understand. However, this dialect of English was probably necessary to compliment the component of realism that John Steinbeck likely intended to convey. I also understand criticism of Steinbeck's opinions that were expressed through the novel and its characters. One could go as far to call them romanticized Socialism, and this would probably be badly received in the time period. While, he portrays the collective spirit for the betterment of mankind in a positive light in the novel, readers may have viewed this as too assimilated to Socialism, which likely contributed to the criticism the book found initially in the general public. I myself thought that if one wanted to display the hardship of the times in a manner that encompasses many different aspects of the Dust Bowl and resultant Depression, a novel like the Grapes of Wrath definitely delivers that understanding. The portrayal of the characters and overall plot accompanied by what many consider Steinbeck's mastery of literature makes the Grapes of Wrath a venue with which one can view the time period as observed by someone who lived through the time period.
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ReplyDeleteI personally think that the book could have been written much better if it had less unnecessary thoughts such as the odd chapters that diverged from the plotline. Also, I think the book is overly cynical of a number of things, including the attitudes of businessmen toward the poorer migrants. The businessmen and bank owners are portrayed as being deceiving swindlers trying to take advantage of lowly people. I think that representation is somewhat of an exaggeration of the actual relationship between poor folks looking for jobs and more well off business owners trying to take advantage of the poor. However, the Grapes of Wrath does provide a reliable view of the hardships faced by farmers turned migrants who had to leave their Midwestern homesteads to escape the Dust Bowl and flee toward employment opportunities. Also, the characters of the book seem to be accurate representations of the real people of that era and culture.
ReplyDeleteWe appear to have mixed reactions on the novel!
ReplyDeleteI actually really loved The Grapes of Wrath. John Steinbeck's writing style interests me, and I thought the interchapters gave good insight into how the world was dealing with the Depression, rather than just the Joads. His use of vernacular gave a truthful look at the Great Depression, and I think that is why he received much of the criticism. No one wants to see the nasty side of human behavior for what it is, but this is why The Grapes of Wrath is so poignant: without documentation, the Great Depression would have just been a minor spot on America's history. The thought of losing jobs and moving to find new ones isn't too spectacular itself; the trials of human suffering are what make this time period so highly traumatic. This novel cements the evils of greed and how the world was changed by the Great Depression, and that is why I really enjoyed it. It's accurate portrayal of life in the 1930's intrigues me, and added to the importance of studying the Great Depression.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate the insightful analysis of Steinbeck's work:) 10/14/10
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