The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck

The Grapes of Wrath follows the Joad family as they flee the Dust Bowl-ravaged Oklahoma plains during the Great Depression in search of work and dignity in California. Steinbeck paints a raw, unflinching portrait of poverty, exploitation, and resilience, weaving the Joads’ personal struggles with broader social injustices faced by migrant workers. The novel alternates between intimate storytelling and sweeping intercalary chapters that highlight the systemic collapse of the American Dream. Themes of solidarity, sacrifice, and rebellion against oppression anchor the narrative, challenging readers to confront the human cost of capitalism and inequality. Steinbeck’s lyrical prose and unapologetic critique of societal structures cement the book as a cornerstone of 20th-century literature.