Classism in "The Grapes of Wrath" Movie

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In the year of 1939, the Great Depression affected the lives of many located within the United States. This was a severe, and most widespread depression which affected people across the world. For the reason that there was a fall of the stock market, a drought ravaged the agricultural heartland. Those who were dependent on their farmland to provide for their families became imposed by coercion to retreat and re-locate their entire families. This migration was a struggle during this period because the lack of resources and money to survive. Among other elements, starvation and homelessness caused many to die at an early age. John Steinbeck's, The Grapes of Wrath, exhibits the Joad's, a family who undergoes the collapse of the agrarian lifestyle, while forced to move their entire family to possibly a more advantageous situation. This presumed liberating destination California, is supposed to provide a positive outlook on the future of the Joad family. Similar to other families, the Joad's migrated towards an aspiration of a better life. Although there was a collaboration of feelings regarding this immense transition, a sense of struggle and hesitancy was prevalent as well. Within this complex struggle, there were different components created known as macro factors, which arose and ultimately affected the many families directly related to the situation.

The lack of work, food and resources to survive combined with the government outsourcing farmers left no alternative to migration. When serious situations begin to involve families as a whole, a sense of responsibility prevails over all other emotions. Unity, strength and leadership qualities are needed for progression. Members of the family are directly affected both i...

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...ue to believe. The fact that they are loyal to each other signifies the true kinship shared. The Joad family can be connected to the body of the migrant workers as they both represent a family unit, who lack a home and when life moves forward new connections are formed. Their beliefs, unity and strengths can be viewed as an organization who are fighting for a better life for their families. The police in the movie, are shown as one force related to the self-interest of the landowners and businessmen, in which they are driven to sustain a system that coerces thousands of families into poverty.

There are many key elements such as the historical, social and economic circumstances which separate the different families into rich and poor. This division that is made between the population can be identified as the primary source of evil and suffering in the world.

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