Grapes of Wrath – Envelope Activity Topics
Created by Wendy Pierce, amended by Cate Hatridge
1.
Change- At the heart of The Grapes of Wrath is change, and we watch families cope as they are
forced to change their lives, their homes, and their dreams. Change is bittersweet in this novel
because it is imposed upon thousands of farmers and families who would otherwise prefer to
remain right where they are. Who changes the most in this novel? How does the Joads’ lifestyle
change over the course of their journey to California? Do any characters fight change in this
novel? If so, what happens when they fight change? Look for examples of this change.
2.
When in doubt…It’s From the Bible- No understanding of the novel can avoid the interweaving of biblical themes, allusions in the title, names of characters, etc. in Steinbeck’s classic.
Steinbeck presents varied views of religion in this novel. Look for examples of direct and
indirect statements regarding religion.
3.
Suffering- Steinbeck examines the suffering of people in this time period. Who suffers and what
do they suffer? What is the effect on the sufferer and those close to him/her? What purpose
does the illustrations of suffering serve? Note examples as you read. Pay particular attention to
the diction, tones and imageries used to depict suffering. Is it always meant to evoke pathos?
4.
No I in Team- The movement from “I” to “we” has serious significance for many of the
characters in the novel. Look for specific instances in which characters demonstrate this
philosophy. Examine the precursors to their shift in paradigm of thought and the effects such a
shift has on them, their circumstances, and those around them.
5.
Darwin- John Steinbeck was a great lover and observer of the natural world. Some critics see
him as a literary naturalist, one who applied principles of scientific determinism (“survival of the
fittest”) to his fiction. The naturalistic view of human beings is that of animals in the natural
world, responding to environmental forces and internal stresses and drives over which they have
no control nor do they fully understand. Find evidences of this naturalism from the text.
6.
Oh, the Humanity!- Like animals, the characters are often beset by circumstances over which
they have little control, but there are moments, when, unlike animals, the characters make
humane choices or decisions. They overcome obstacles and go forward. List these choices and
decisions.
7.
Transcendentalists- From Emerson, a noted transcendentalist, Steinbeck took the idea of an
Oversoul. The consequence of believing in an Oversoul is living by the truth that humankind is
bound to one another with spiritual bonds. We become responsible for what happens to our
neighbors and to society in general. Find examples of this principle as exemplified in the actions
of specific characters in the novel. Some to consider include Casy, Tom, Ma, Rose of Sharon,
the Wilsons, and the Wainwrights.
Created by Wendy Pierce, Folsom High School, Folsom, CA
8.
The Reds- When The Grapes of Wrath was first published, critics rejected it for two major
reasons: One group found the language offensive….A larger group, however, rejected the book
on political grounds. Steinbeck’s attacks on the banks and land owners won him the label
“Communist.” Judged a proletarian novel because it dealt with the laboring classes, the novel
was called Marxist by many readers in the Forties and Fifties. Look for evidences of this
philosophy.
9.
The Inbetweens- Many of the intercalary chapters provide historical or descriptive information
that connects to the Joads’ story. Sometimes an anonymous character echoes (or foretells)
actions of one of the novel’s main characters. Sometimes a small occurrence in one chapter is
explored in depth in a succeeding chapter. Look for and note those connections as you read.
10.
what ye do to the least of these…- Animal imagery is significant in Steinbeck’s descriptions
and serves a large purpose. Find and record animal imagery and determine what those
connections are to the humans and events in the novel. We watch humans kill animals without a
second thought, and we begin to see similarities between the ways humans and their furry friends
behave during desperate times. Note the way people treat the animals they encounter.
11.
Colors of the Wind- Like Fitzgerald, Steinbeck uses color imagery effectively to set the mood,
to convey ideas, and to express the essence of life and people from the Depression Era. Take
note of colors and their associations in the text.
12.
Technology- Steinbeck’s ambivalence toward machines (and America’s future in 1939) is
captured throughout the text. He ponders the age-old question: What does it mean to be human
in a world that is becoming increasingly mechanized? How is machinery imagery used in the
text? How applicable is that to historical and current events in society? Note examples from the
text.
13.
The Wimmens- While the women in this novel by custom of the time are considered socially
inferior to the men, they are remarkably well drawn, with Ma Joad being perhaps the most
memorable of all Steinbeck’s characters. Steinbeck’s main female characters are dependent but
a source of strength and endurance for their men. List the various examples of the ways you see
Grandma, Ma, Rose of Sharon, Mae, Mrs. Wilson, Mrs. Wainwright, and Lisbeth Sandry
exhibiting strength, leadership, or a moral center for other characters in the novel.
14.
Migrants and Bias- Steinbeck’s characterization for the migrants, the homeless, directly affects
our perception of them. Are we judgmental? Sympathetic? What has Steinbeck done to affect
our views of the “Okies” as they trek across the country and wind up in Hoovervilles? Look
closely for evidences of his narrative stance.
Created by Wendy Pierce, Folsom High School, Folsom, CA
15.
The Menfolk- In examining Steinbeck’s male characters, we must consider what role each
plays. What role does Uncle John play? Why was he included in the journey to California?
Grampa—what is important to note about his role? Pa Joad—is he a weak or strong character?
How is Tom Joad crucial to the story? Jim Casy, although not one of the Joads, joins the family
in the migration; what role does he play? And, you should consider some of the minor male
characters such as Al and Connie. Look for specific development of all these male characters.
16.
(Super?) Heroes- Most myths are concerned with bigger-than-life heroes who perform deeds of
great valor requiring superhuman courage. The episodes of the myth are important to the history
of a nation or a race. Their settings are vast, covering great nations, the world, or the universe.
Myths sometimes contain prophesies of coming doom. Finally, the hero is often granted
immortality as a reward for fighting injustice. If Tom Joad is the hero of Steinbeck’s novel, he
hardly seems godlike in chapter 1. Look for evidence of the mythical journey involving Tom
and/or Casy. Do Tom and Casy unselfishly fight injustice? Are they transformed into almost
superhuman characters? Find and record evidence from the text.
18.
Blood and Bloody Ashes-- The Grapes of Wrath is full of blood. We also know that the "grapes
of wrath" in "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" refers to injustice and spilt blood. Blood signals
both life and death, so note and pay attention to moments in which it bubbles to the surface of
this novel.
19.
Music- Making music is one of the most natural things for humans to do. We've been making
music for thousands and thousands of years. So, whenever we hear music or whenever music is
present, we know humans are tapping into their ancient abilities and desires. We know that their
celebrating or mourning, we know that they are expressing themselves in some way. What
examples of music do you detect in this novel? Note them and examine what purpose they serve.
20.
The Road- Whoever said a road is just a road has not read The Grapes of Wrath. As an
archetype in literature, a road at its fundamental level is a journey. But it's interesting to note
that Route 66 never really intersects with any other major highway or road – it goes in two
directions only. When you are on Route 66, you can either go forward in search of opportunity,
or you can go backwards and return to the poverty you came from. We also learn that roads are
dangerous places. Note what happens on the road and consider the meaning.
21.
Betrayal- There are several characters who, overcome by fear, choose to serve themselves rather
than their community at large. Does Muley Graves betray his family by not following them to
California? Does Willy Feeley betray his community by accepting a job as a tractor driver, or is
he merely supporting his family? What kinds of betrayal do we see in The Grapes of Wrath? Are
some more acceptable or more sympathetic than others? Why? How does Steinbeck craft his
words to create that pathos?
22.
The Outsiders- Steinbeck frequently explores the topic of community and belongingness,
beginning at the family level and rippling out from there. What makes one part of a community?
What excludes one from it? Is collective “outsider” status enough to create a community by
itself? Can one, once ostracized, regain a place within a community and if so, how? What risks
will people take to preserve community that they wouldn’t take for themselves?
Created by Wendy Pierce, Folsom High School, Folsom, CA