Grapes of Wrath written by John Steinbeck in 1939

The Grapes of Wrath written by John Steinbeck in 1939 is an American film based on the struggles of the average American during the time of the great depression. The movie follows the Joad family as they travel across the country in hope of finding work. The time of the great depression was a rough time for just about everyone. The nations economy was at an all-time low and because of this everyone was affected by the great depression in sort of a ripple effect. For example, the fields were dry, no crops were produced, no money was being made, no workers were needed and no jobs were being done in order to make money and provide for the family. The Joads originally lived on a farm in Oklahoma but because of the drought they were forcefully evicted. With their son Tom Joad just getting out of jail, the family wants to be better off. Pa Joad sees an ad for work in California picking cotton. After thinking it over the family decided to pack up and head west on route 66 to California in hopes of a better future. In general, the film raises many issues in American government system and the economy during the time the film takes place such as, famine, false advertisement, lack of jobs, drought, and mass migration. In my opinion, the purpose of the film is getting the idea that you can accomplish anything and overcome any obstacle that stands in your way if you put your mind to it and don't give up into the viewers head.

A major theme portrayed throughout the film is loyalty and love in a family relationship. The Joads had been through almost everything that a lot of families in modern time could not be handled as well as the Joads handled it. And for them to be on the road traveling through it all just ended up making them closer and their family bond stronger. Despite all the loyalty seen throughout the movie, another theme I witnessed throughout the movie was a betrayal. An example of betrayal is by the government. Many families left what little they had and traveled so far just to get their hopes up and receive less than they had before. They were promised work, a house, and to be paid allot of money in order to provide for their families but apparently so were aloft of other families and because of this there wasn't enough jobs, house, and food to go around for everyone so what little they had was having to be split up into small amounts of money, smaller houses causing the families to be squished, and some people having to go hungry. Another theme I witnessed throughout the movie was how harsh times were and how humans could be so cruel to one another. The workers left everything they had and traveled a long hard journey in order to improve there life and ended up just living in slums, having to go hungry at times and live with being paid barley anything. I hope time does not repeat itself and another situation similar to the great depression arises because most Americans live such a lavish lifestyle that they are completely oblivious to all that is bad going on around them if the great depression were to make a comeback it would be 1,000 times worse and really just ruin America.

The film The Grapes of Wrath was made in 1940 with a budget of 750,000 USD according to the internet. And in my opinion, it was made perfect for the time period it was made in. All the acting was very professional. All the scenery was fitting for the movie and its topics. In each scene had music that fit it perfectly whether it be that something major happened or something minor you could always tell what was going on by the music. Many examples of foreshadowing are seen throughout the movie. For example, in the beginning, you see both of the grandparents in old age and in not so good condition. My first thought is that the grandmother would pass away first and then once the family gets settled in California with their happy life the grandfather would die in the end of the movie. But John Steinbeck decided to switch it and make the grandpa sickness get worse and kill him off early in the movie causing the grandmother to eventually die in my opinion of a broken heart. Another literary technique seen throughout the movie is symbolism. For example, the road the Joads travel on in my opinion represents a timeline of their journey to a better future and hope in the west land of California. However, I don't think all kids would appreciate what the movie is for its time period and the message John Steinbeck is trying to get to the viewer. I appreciate all the work that went into making this movie and all the thought that went into it making it such a good movie with such an amazing message I just don't know that all kids my age would see it the way I do.

All the troubles the Joad family encountered real families during the time of the great depression encountered too. Mass migration, lack of food and jobs, living in slums, making barely any money was a reality at the time. The film supports all that I have learned about the great depression and all that went on during it. The great depression was really as bad as it seems. I really appreciate all that I have and I appreciate all that it took to get America to the economy that its at now.

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