Grapes of Wrath
Vanessa Nicole Cannon English 5 Mr. Charles May 16, 2003 The Grapes of Wrath Marxist Analysis The mode of production in material life determines the general character of the social, political, and spiritual processes of life. It is not the consciousness of men that determines their existence, but, on the contrary, their social existence determines their consciousness. Steinbeck portrays Marx’s ideas in The Grapes of Wrath. As the Joads encounter different situations, they learn how the world truly works and the family realizes that everybody does not help everybody else. The Joads consciousness expands and becomes more developed as they go through social, political, and spiritual experiences. The Joad family has just lost their land and is now forced to move to a different area. So they must move to the “Promised Land,” also known as California. Now the family must adjust to the social conditions. When the Joads travel to California, they encounter capitalism at its worst. Everybody is trying to make a living and is willing to do anything to make it. One example of this is when a car salesman sells almost unworkable cars to migrants who are trying to travel to California. In order to travel to the “Promise Land” the Joad family must buy cars or car parts. This shows man’s inhumanity to his fellow man. As the Joads travel to California, they also come across many problems on their way. One for instance is when the Joads try to purchase gasoline from one of the gas stations on the side of the road.