The Grapes of Wrath Critical Analysis Guide

Instructions: This guide is organized by literary elements or big ideas. Just as you consider
all elements every time you read, you should consider this guide in its entirety each time you
read. Add quotations and analysis in the different big ideas with each reading. Follow these
steps to complete your reading and this guide.

Step 1: Begin by breaking your reading into chunks, as the reminders in each lesson indicate.

● Reading #1: Read through Chapter Six.

● Reading #2: Read through Chapter Eleven.
● Reading #3: Read through Chapter Fifteen.
● Reading #4: Read through Chapter Eighteen.
● Reading #5: Read through Chapter Twenty-One.
● Reading #6: Read through Chapter Twenty-Four.
● Reading #7: Read through Chapter Twenty-Seven.
● Reading #8: Finish reading the novel before The Grapes of Wrath: Analysis lesson.

Step 2: Annotate as you read. Consider using a specific pen or sticky note color to track each
big idea. Upon completing a section, review your annotations and choose quotations to
include in your analysis in this guide.

Step 3: Record important quotations in their corresponding big idea, including the speaker if
applicable and the chapter and page number. Quotations should come from throughout the
novel.

Step 4: Comment on the function of the text you have identified as significant. Do not merely
write, "This shows Ma Joad's character" or paraphrase the quotation. Instead, explain how the
selected lines function within the big idea you've selected; elaborate on the purpose and
effect.
Title of the work:
The Grapes of Wrath
Author: John Steinbeck Publication Date: 1939

Format: (Please indicate the format of your reading, i.e. Kindle, Nook,
physical copy of the book, etc. If a publisher—such as Penguin Classics—
or edition is available, please indicate that as well.)

Physical Copy of Work

_________________________________________________________________

Character
Choose quotations that reveal complexities in the character, develop a relationship
between characters, show how the character fits an archetype, or indicate a change
in that character. Aim for 2 entries each for Tom, Casy, Pa, Ma, and Rose of Sharon.

Chapter, Page #, Speaker if Quotation Commentary

applicable

Chapter 7 , page 121, Tom
“Ya full a crap. Why, I
knowed a one-legged whore
one time. Think she was
takin' two-bits in a alley? No,
by God! She's gettin' half a
dollar extra. She says, 'How
many one-legged women
you slep' with? None!'
This shows a complexity in
Tom’s character. HIs
frugalness is shown by his
indigiance at having to pay
extra for a one-legged
prostitute. It also shows his
analysis of the nature of his
conversation partner. Tom is
presented as both ignorant
and analytical here.

'Two are better than one, This shows Tom as an

because they have a good archetype. He fits that of a
Chapter 14 , page 281, Tom
reward for their labor. typical midwesterner, as he
is primarily concerned with
For if they fall, the one will lif'
labor as well as sexist.
up his fellow, but woe to him
 that is alone when he

falleth, for he hath not

another to help him up.'
That's part of her."

Chapter 1, page 18, Jim "Reverend Jim Casy—was a
Casey Burning
Busher. Used to howl out the
name of Jesus to glory. And
used to get an irrigation
ditch so squirmin' full of
repented sinners half of 'em
like to drowned. But not no
more," he sighed. "Jus Jim
Casy now. Ain't got the call
no more. Got a lot of sinful
This draws a parallel
between Jim Casey and
Christ himself. Jim Casey is
said to be preaching the
word of christ, which
connects him to that hebrew.
Jim casey’s initials are
identical to Christ’s, which
makes the connection even
more clear.

idears—but they seem kinda

sensible."

"I hope you're dead sure of This shows Jim’s sense of

the way," Jim Casy said. "I'd purpose. He desires that the
Chapter 8, page 45, Jim
hate to have the dawn course which he undertakes
casey
deliver him in a proper
come and us be way to hell
direction and serve the
an' gone somewhere." The
purpose of transporting him
cotton field scurried with
properly. Hence his sense of
waking life, the quick flutter purpose is revealed.
of morning birds feeding on
the ground, the scamper
over

the clods of disturbed

rabbits. The quiet thudding
of the men's feet in the dust,

Chapter 9, Page 63, Rose of
Sharon
Chapter 9, page 62, Rose of
the
squeak of crushed clods
under their shoes, sounded
against the secret noises of
the
dawn.
For Rose of Sharon was Here, the assured nature of
pregnant and careful. Her Rose of Sharon is shown.
hair, braided and She is confident of her ability
to be attractive, as she
wrapped around her head,
flaunts herself, manifesting
made an ash-blond crown.
this belief. Steinbeck
Her round soft face, which
mentions her self-sufficient
had
smile, which indicates her
been voluptuous and inviting belief in herself.
a few months ago, had
already put on the barrier of
pregnancy, the self-sufficient
smile, the knowing
perfection-look; and her
plump
body—full soft breasts and
stomach, hard hips and
buttocks that had swung so
freely
and provocatively as to invite
slapping and stroking—her
whole body had become
demure and serious.
Beside them, clinging lightly This shows the elegant
Sharon to the bars, stood Rose of
Sharon, and
she balanced, swaying on
the balls of her feet, and took
up the road shock in her
knees
and hams.
Chapter 2, Page 18, Ma Ma sent me a card two years
ago, an' las' Christmas
Granma sent a
card. Jesus, the guys in the
cell block laughed! Had a
tree an' shiny stuff looks like
snow. It says in po'try:
Chapter 2, Page 20, Pa Well, Pa seen him, an'
Pa, he figgers he's the bes'
Jesus-jumper in these parts.
So Pa picks out a feeny bush
'bout twicet as big as Uncle
John's feeny bush, and Pa
lets out a squawk like a sow
litterin' broken bottles, an' he
takes a run at that feeny
bush an' clears her an' bust
his
right leg. That took the sperit
out of Pa.
nature of Rose of Sharon’s
movement. Almost in the
manner of a trained dancer,
does she display herself. This
accentuates the self
confidence which Steinbeck
mentions later on.
This shows the motherly
nature of Ma. She feels a
strong familial devotion to
her children, as she has sent
them a christmas card. This
is an action befitting of a
mother.
This shows the cunning,
logical nature of Pa’s actions.
What he does is carefully
calculated based on his
understanding of whom he is
dealing with. This shows that
Pa must be of reasonable
intelligence despite a humble
background.
Setting
Choose quotations that reveal the setting, show the relationship between setting and
character, or portray the setting functioning as an archetype or symbol. Aim for 5
entries that span the entire length of the novel.
Chapter, Page #, Speaker if
applicable
Chapter 2, Page 20
Chapter 27, page 310
Quotation
“They topped the next rise
and the road dropped into an
old water-cut, ugly and raw,
a ragged course, and freshet
scars cutting into it from both
sides. A few stones were in
the crossing. Joad minced
across in his bare feet.”
Pa slipped into the water and
stood waiting. Ma helped
Rose of Sharon down from
the platform and steadied
her across the car. Pa took
her in his arms, held her as
high as
he could, and pushed his
way carefully through the
deep water, around the car,
Commentary
This shows the harsh nature
of the setting, that on which
one has to walk caused
mincing on the part of Joad.
the Water is also not visually
pleasing, in fact ugly, which
ads to the harsh nature of the
setting. The relationship is
that the setting teaches the
characters lessons about
hardship.
This shows how the setting
imbues the characters with
certain values. The family is
forced to bond as a result of
life in a difficult environment.
Hence familial values are
imparted to them as a result
of their trek.
 and to

the highway. He set her

down on her feet and held
onto her. Uncle John carried
Ruthie

and followed. Ma slid down

into the water, and for a
moment her skirts billowed
out

around her.

Chapter 24, page 226 “ON SATURDAY MORNING
the wash tubs were
crowded. The women
washed
dresses, pink ginghams and
flowered cottons, and they
hung them in the sun and
stretched the cloth to
smooth it. When afternoon
came the whole camp
quickened and
This shows the raucous
nature of the population in
the setting. It shows how the
harsh nature of the
environment compels the
population to act thus. As the
setting is that of the dust
bowl, the population is
imbued with a sense of
urgency. Thereby the setting
influences the characters.

the people grew excited. The

children caught the fever and
were more noisy than usual.

About mid-afternoon child

bathing began, and as each
child was caught, subdued,
and

washed, the noise on the

playground gradually
subsided.”
Chapter 16, page 141 “UNDER THE SPREAD
tarpaulin Granma lay on a
mattress, and Ma sat beside
her.
The air was stiflingly hot, and
the flies buzzed in the shade
of the canvas. Granma was
This shows the debilitating
effect the setting has on the
characters. Grandma is
compelled to prolonged rest
and a state of inactivity, as a
result of the harsh demands
of the environment.

naked under a long piece of

pink curtain. She turned her
old head restlessly from side

to side, and she muttered

and choked”

Figurative Language
Choose quotations that contain diction that contributes to tone, conveys recurring
symbols and imagery that contribute to the larger meaning of the work, and uses
simile, metaphor, personification, and allusion for particular effects. Aim for one entry
for each of the following:

● Diction
● Tone shift
● Symbol
● Imagery
● Figurative Language

Chapter, Page #, Speaker if Quotation Commentary

applicable

Chapter 16, page 141, Tom "No. It ain't no use. I was in This shows the rural values
that there water. An' I ain't a- prevalent in the work through
gonna leave her. I'm a- a very rural and uneducated
type of diction. This

Chapter 16, page 142,
Grandma
Chapter 11, Page 86, Connie
gonna go now, Tom—down
the river. I'll catch fish an'
stuff, but I can't leave her. I
can't."
Granma called imperiously,
"Will! Will! You come here,
Will." And her eyes
opened and she looked
fiercely about. "Tol' him to
come right here," she said.
"I'll
catch him. I'll take the hair
off'n him." She closed her
eyes and rolled her head
back
and forth and muttered
thickly. Ma fanned with the
cardboard.
"Jus' a half." And so he filled
the cup just half, and gave it
to her. A Lincoln Zephyr,
silvery and low, whisked by.
She turned to see where the
others were and saw them
clustered about the truck.
Reassured, she said, "How'd
you like to be goin' along in
that?"
contributes to the American
meaning of the work by using
quintessentially American
diction.
Here, Grandma’s speech
constitutes a tone shift from
the previous sentence with
its calm, flowing diction.
Grandma enunciates harshly.
This accentuates the tone
which she employs,and
contributes to the
relationship between setting
and character, by showing
the harsh tone she uses as a
result of the harsh setting.
Here, they zephyr functions
as a symbol of modernity
and as a means of
transportation. It contrasts
with the rural,
unsophisticated nature of the
midwesterners, by being a
product of a very different
culture. As it is a means of
travel, it symbolizes that.
 Chapter 1, Page 3 The rain crust broke and the
dust lifted up out
of the fields and drove gray
plumes into the air like
sluggish smoke.
Steinbeck uses simile here
when he likens the way in
which the rain crust broke to
sluggish smoke. This shows
the severity of the dust bowl,
and its serious
consequences.

Chapter 1, Page 2 A gentle wind followed the
rain clouds, driving them on
northward, a wind that
softly clashed the drying
corn.
Steinbeck uses imagery here
when he uses quite vivid
vocabulary to describe the
way in which the rain clouds
are driven northward. This is
a sublime depiction of the
setting which shows its
mighty power.

The Grapes of Wrath Structure Analysis

Instructions: Take a look at your annotations from The Grapes of Wrath. As you've
learned, the vignettes in the novel emerge to become Steinbeck's personal "claims"
to defend a bigger thesis contained within the novel. The chapters detailing the Joad
family serve as support for those claims; they function as the evidence for Steinbeck's
claims.

Choose six other examples of vignette/claim and narrative/support pairs and complete
the chart below. An example has been completed for you.

Structure
Choose 4 vignettes from the novel and, for each, summarize the claim Steinbeck
appears to be presenting within them. Then identify which narrative chapters or
events from the novel help to support that claim. Make sure you use direct quotes
from the novel and cite your support by referencing the chapters in which they
appear. An example has been completed for you.

Make sure that you provide at least two vignettes from each "section" of the novel:

● The Joads in Oklahoma (Chapters One through Eleven)

● The Joads's Journey to California (Chapters Twelve through Twenty-One)
 ● The Joads in California (Chapters Twenty-Two through Thirty)
Vignette Chapter with
Description
Chapter Five
The landowners and the
banks can no longer make
high profits from tenant
farming. The banks, which
"breathe profits," kick the
land owners off the land
they are attached to.
Tractors come in like
"greater crawlers moving
like insects," destroying
houses, fences, and crops.
When new owners move
in, they have no
connection to the land;
they eat "what they had
not raised."
Chapter one
The story opens to people
surveying how wind has
destroyed their land. When
the wind stopped, the men
and women came out to
survey the damage to the
fields. Everyone, even the
children, was subdued.
They were waiting for the
reaction of the men, to see
whether they would break.
The men did not break, but
began figuring how to deal
with the ruined corn. The
women resumed their
housework and the
children their play, for they
knew as long as the men
were okay, the family
would be fine.
Claim
Claim
Farmers are attached to
their land; it is a part of
them. But banks, the
symbol of capitalist
economics, are like
machines; they are
indifferent to man's love of
the land or his suffering
when it is taken from him.
Claim: those who are
privileged feel tension with
those who are under
privileged.
Narrative Chapter
Support & Evidence
In Chapter Six, Casy and
Tom find the Joad place
deserted. Muley Graves
tells Tom that the family
was "gonna stick her out
when the bank came to
tractorin' off the place"
because no profits were
coming in from farming.
Casy later observes that a
"Fella get use' to a place,
it's hard to go." Later, in
Chapter Ten, when it's
time for the Joads to leave
for California, Grampa
refuses to go and they
have to force him to leave.
In Chapter two, The
Joad’s humble
background is detailed,
and a truck driver is
indignant and his
underprivileged
circumstances, stating
"They ain't been tractored
out yet?" This statement is
disdainful"They ain't been
tractored out yet?". This
shows the tension between
privileged and
underprivileged people.
 Claim: the uneducated can In Chapter 8, Steinbeck
Chapter 7 be easily swindled relates how easily Tom’s
father was induced to buy
It is demonstrated by the certain truck, which the
narrator how to cheat narrator explained was
people of their money. deficient. Tom’s father
Crooked salesmen sell the lacked education, which is
departing families
shown to be the factor
whatever broken-down
vehicles they can find. The behind his easy purchase.
salesmen fill engines with
sawdust to conceal noisy
transmissions and replace
good batteries with
cracked ones before they
deliver the cars. The
tenant farmers, desperate
to move and with little
knowledge of cars, willingly
pay the skyrocketing
prices, much to the
salesmen’s delight.

Chapter 12 Claim: The privileged are In Chapter 13, the Joads

The narrator speaks from eager to take advantage of encounter a fat man who
the perspective of the underprivileged. is very disdainful of the
traveling farmers, who migrants, being more
worry about their privileged himself. This
malfunctioning cars and typifies the paradigm of
improvise solutions in the privileged taking
order to continue their advantage of the
journey to California. A underprivileged.
greedy car-parts
salesman has little
sympathy for a poor
family in need of a new
tire, and tells the family
that California isn’t big
enough to accommodate
all the country’s needy
citizens. The salesman
threatens that the border
patrol will deny the
migrants entry into
California and rip up their
driver’s licenses.

Chapter 14 Claim: Those who are In Chapter 15, a migrant

privileged can be indeed farmer refuses “to steal
Herein, the influx of
discontentful and from [a store] though given
migrants to the west is
unhappy. the opportunity to”. This
depicted. Those in
affirms that thse who are
power try to push back underprivileged can be
against the symptoms replete with moral values.
of unrest rather than the
causes: unified labor,
new taxes, etc. Try as
they might, the powerful
will be unable to stop
millions of people’s
determined attempts to
improve their own lives.