The Grapes of Wrath #1

The writing reveals many different things about the author. The way Steinbeck writes often suggests that he is very spiritual. The stories that are told in the book, like the one about Mae and the truck drivers, serve almost as a parable or something along those lines. (Steinbeck 154)Steinbeck's writing also suggests that that family and friends are important to him. Throughout the book Ma Joad's main goal is to keep the family together no matter what. She is very optimistic and positive so that her family might be that way too. When the Joads meet up with the Wilsons its almost as if they go from being two separate families to being one big family that supports and takes care of each other because they are all in the same situation. That is why I believe the author values friendship and family. Another thing we find out toward the end of the book is the importance of generosity and self-sacrifice, or putting others before yourself. I believe that is important to the author because it was what Tom Joad finally realized in the end. (Steinbeck 419-420 ) Ma Joad and all of the others realized this as well. Examples include when Ma Joad gave the hungry children stew at the camp, even though she could have kept it for herself. When Rose of Sharon fed the old man despite all she had been through is also an example. These values were oviously important to the author, otherwise he probably would not have written about them.

The author narrates the story in third person. By being in third person the readers can tell what all of the character's are doing and what they feel throughout the book. I love when books are written this way because I think it makes them alot easier to read, and when they are easier to read, they are more enjoyable to read.

Steinbeck, John. The Grapes of Wrath. New York: Penguin, 2002. Print.