There are several universal themes in the book Grapes of Wrath, one of them being man's selfishness. The migrants were not pushed off of there land due to bad weather or misfortune. They were forced off of their land by other men. This then separated people into either tenant farmers or landowners or like some put it, rich or poor. From here the migrant workers were treated like animals. They were not treated like the landowners were. The reason things panned out this way was because the rich aka. the land owners did not want the migrants to become strong and take back land. Back in the day before the Dust Bowl, California belonged to Mexico. However, eventually angry squatters took the land from them. The landowners were scared because they did not want history to repeat itself.
Another universal theme is about fellowship and family. Not only did the Joad's stick together as a family, but when they met up with the Wilsons it was almost as if they became one big family instead of two separate ones. (Steinbeck 163)They took care of each other even though they were not all biologically related. It is a universal theme because this shows generosity, which was one of the main values in the book. It also shows to take care of your fellow man.
Also a universal theme from the book, is the Joad's dignity. The book talks about them being treated like animals and being talked to as if they weren't human. While in the camp Ma Joad finds relieve when someone finally has a normal conversation with her. She feels that she is humane again and has her dignity. (Steinbeck 304)
There are many universal themes in The Grapes of Wrath. I think the author did a really nice job incorporating all of these themes into the book and I believe they are all themes that we can relate to and also understand. That is one of the many reasons that I really liked this book.
Steinbeck, John. The Grapes of Wrath. New York: Penguin, 2002. Print.
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