The Grapes of Wrath
 
(Essay #4)
 
 Steinbeck's the Grapes of Wrath deals with a mid western
family's tribulations in a time of economic peril. the book
describes the Joads move out west after losing their
familial land in Oklahoma. the Joads as can be expected did
not end the book the same way in which they started it. the
Joads individually, but more importantly as a family
evolved into completely different people than we saw as
they embarked on their journey.
 
The Joads' many experiences along the way changed them.
From Tom's act of murder, and subsequent hiding, to the
tragedy of losing a baby the Joads evolved. When they left
Oklahoma Granma and granpa were the family leaders, however
that soon changed. the Grandparents' power was derived from
their connection to the land. Once they left Oklahoma the
power went to the father, pa. Yet pa could not keep his
power for long and the family leadership fell to ma. This
is illustrated by how powerfully she intimidated Tom when
he wanted to stay back with the Wilson's car.
 
Another reason why the Joads changed so much was that the
actual physical makeup of their family changed. First
granma and granpa died, leaving a considerable void in the
family. Noah and Connie left to go their own ways. Al
considered his fiancee more important than the family, and
Tom decided to go off and finish Casy's work. Instead of
being the warm functioning sharecroppers from Oklahoma,
they became the typical Urban individuals. Now instead of
collectively making sure that the farm was functioning on a
daily basis, they now were making sure that their lives
were functioning properly. the Joads had completely evolved
into a family that typified urban rather than rural society.
 
Even though the Joads evolved into what one might consider
a dysfunctional family their evolution did represent some
positive results. Although they lost their familial
kinship, they were now able to gain new relationships and
identities. They now had a kinship with all the other
migrants, specifically with the Wilson's and Wainwrights. 

Although the Joads lost their childlike innocence not all
was lost. A new chapter in their lives began, and they too
would 
adjust.