Erin Augustyniak
August 26, 2013
The American Dream as portrayed in John Steinbeck’s Grapes of Wrath, seems to
apply to a limited few. In a picturesque world, the American Dream could be defined as
the ability to succeed and prosper while following your heart. However as defined in
Grapes of Wrath, this Dream can only be achieved by the wealthy land and cannery
owners. All other farm owners currently holding land eventually are bought out by the
larger more powerful companies, similar to the economic hierarchy in today’s culture.
Steinbeck illustrates the impossibility of the American Dream through the Joad’s journey
west. Understandably, they invent their own fantasies of California with exaggerated
blips of information seen on the work flyers. Leaving behind their personal belongings,
land, and generations of memories, they pack up and leave for “the promise land.” Much
like Connell, who packed up herself and left behind her most precious belongings, she
left to peruse the American Dream to ease the financial pains at home. Though her
expectations may not have been as vibrant as the Joad’s, she must have had some form of
ideal environment she was going to wiggle into. Similar to the Joads, she faced much
adversity, was refused employment because of stereotyping, and was physically
threatened by the people with whom she came in contact with. Her story clearly links our
culture with the culture of the 1930’s during the Depression.
Making sacrifices, working hard and holding your head high are all attributes of
people who are struggling in these times. In Grapes of Wrath the wealthy run the middle
class out of business, the middle class then become the poor, and the poor become even
poorer. In our society today, the same is true. Small, privately owned businesses are
small and few to come by, more people are living off of the government because of the
inability to find work or pure laziness, and while they all struggle and grow bitter at heart,
the wealthy reign overhead. Just as Connell experiences threats and sexiest claims
regarding her job as a woman trucker, the Joads are called names and discriminated
against even with their innocent desires. Though human beings are the most intelligent
species known on earth, we are not very dynamic when it comes to changes in social
hierarchies and standards. The opinions and rationales from the cannery owners in the
west in 1930 are going to be the same as the homeowners in North Dakota in present
time. The weary travelers will meet many people on the way to their refuge; some will
cheerfully lend a hand and others will spit at their feet. As the National Geographic
article stated, many homeowners have lived on a patch of land for generations and with
the new oil reserves, their privacy is being disrupted by noisy machines and the thoughts
of people owning the mineral rights beneath their homes. Just as seen seventy years ago,
a hundred years ago and from the beginning of time, when new comers flood in, the
original inhabitants have their own predetermined opinions and emotions towards the
wave of foreigners. People will either help or hurt and the North Dakota Oil Boom is just
a modern telling of John Steinbeck’s Grapes of Wrath.
Another aspect of social life was beautifully intertwined in Steinbeck’s novel, the
power of revolution. When the poor and middle class band together, they can over throw
or at least make their desperate voices be heard. Casey took a stand and chose to lead the
band of people in their revolution, but as we know, sacrifices have to be made as well.
Just as outspoken nowadays, we can paint on signs and chant, go on strikes, and make
partitions to get our point across. Some, like Martin Luther King Jr. make the ultimate
sacrifice in order to lead his people to justice and to make a mark in history. Other
revolutions are not as outspoken but just as powerful, as seen when Uncle John is asked
to bury Roseofsharon’s stillborn child. Instead he lays the shovel down and carefully sets
the alien-like figure in an apple box and pushes it down stream for some one to discover.
By doing this he shows the proof, the tangible proof of the sacrifices they have to endure.
Though nothing is stated directly, I am sure there are injustices to revolt over in North
Dakota, perhaps pay raises would be one of them.
Hundreds of thousands here in the Untied States are living in similar
circumstances as where the people in the Depression. While currently in a Recession
ourselves, I can attest firsthand Connell and her husband’s hardships while working in the
sluggish, inconsistent construction industry. A newly arising town around a rich oil
reserve is just the refuge place foe construction families to move to. The promise of
consistent work, for some time, a new start, and extra money to ease financial pains is
temping to say the least. For many families, this “paradise” even if a sliver of their
expectations, would be better than their current economic states. To be aloof and to not
follow the advice given in Grapes of Wrath would be foolish and would lead to ultimate
disappointment. The need for contractors, truck drivers, and managers is at an all time
high in North Dakota so people with those credentials will flood the state, and as seen in
Steinbeck’s novel, jobs will be filled rapidly and a few low paying jobs will be left over
for many people to fight over. With North Dakota’s history of a boom- bust economy and
work load, the chances of history repeating itself is noticeably high. To devote all of
your resources to a hope standing on little more than the paper that balances our feeble
economy is a risky move to make, but if it your last chance, you must take it.
Though the dates may differ, the American Dream, social and economic
environments share many of the same traits as the society in Steinbeck’s novel.
Connell’s life in North Dakota directly links our modern society to the Joads and gives us
expert advice and insight into the sometimes brutal truth of humanity.