Archetypes In John Steinbeck's 'The Grapes Of Wrath'

1806 Words4 Pages

Within the well protected archives where great works of literature are stored, there is a small area devoted to cinema great works. Notably, the half-filled space is devoted to only those films through which by the theme 's distinction and treatment excellence appear to be great works of art that are continuously referred and recalled every time great motion pictures categories are mentioned. In this regard, The Grapes of Wrath – a Twentieth Century Fox classic, an adaptation of the widely acclaimed book "The Grapes of Wrath" by John Steinbeck - possesses one of the few allocated spaces in this category of greatest films of all time, and rightfully so by virtue of the positive reviews the film has received over the years. The film was adapted …show more content…

In addition, there is a strong dichotomy of "bad people ' and "good people." For instance, in the film, the Joad family is depicted in good light, and therefore placed in the category of "good people." "Good people" help in enhancing moral sustainability within the society by being role models for others to emulate. They give a good example of how to maintain good social systems where every individual lives with each other harmoniously. Jane Darwell portrays Ma Joad as a strong woman, who bears the burden of maintaining the family, her strength being a good example of the qualities needed to maintain families together in times of …show more content…

Even though the Joad 's family is primarily genetically related, the film points to another factor that enhances the unity between the family members. The commitment and loyalty to each other are fundamental in establishing their true association, thus playing a major role in maintaining sustainability in the institution of marriage. Within the life of the migrants as depicted in the film, the familial biological entities, without a physical home to establish its borders, is swiftly forgotten, since life while travelling demands that people adjust to new dynamics, demanding that new kinships and connections be formed. This phenomenon is best demonstrated when the Joad family meets the Wilson family, and within a short time, they become a single entity, supporting each other through the life 's difficulties for the ultimate goal of ensuring sustainability of their

Open Document