The Grapes of Wrath

• Takes place during the time of the Great Depression.
• Follows the journey of Tom Joad as he makes his way back to his family's farm in Oklahoma.
• recently released from prison
• When he reaches his family, they prepare to head off to California.
• hope for a better life there
• As everyone dreams of California as "the land of promise," there are few jobs left open with so many people there.
• They seek board in a government camp, eventually finding low-pay work there.
• At the end of the novel, a flood hits the camps, forcing everyone to seek refuge.  The Joads find a barn not far off and take shelter there.  Inside, they see a boy holding his dying father.

• The tone of the novel is greatl depressing.  The family goes through many trials and have to live such lowly lives in the attempt to seek the "American Dream."
• I think the theme of the novel documents the struggles of life.  It brilliantly shows that life is never as easy as it seems, and to gain what you want, you have to work hard.