Naturalism in The Grapes of Wrath

In John Steinbeck's novel The Grapes of Wrath, the Joad family and the changing world in which they live is portrayed from a naturalistic point of view. Steinbeck characterizes the Joads and their fellow migrants as simple, instinct-bound creatures who are on an endless search for paradise (Owens 129). The migrants and the powers which force them to make their journey--nature and society--are frequently represented by animals. The Joads, when they initially leave home, are a group of simplistic, animal-like people who barely understand or even realize their plight, but as the story progresses, they begin to grow and adapt to their new circumstances. They evolve from a small, insignificant group of creatures with no societal consciousness into a single member of a much larger family--society.

Steinbeck strongly portrays the Joads and other displaced "Okies" as being animalistic. They often talk about their predicament in......

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Title: Grapes Of Wrath Essay: Naturalism In The Grapes Of Wrath:
Approximate Word Count: 1391
Approximate Pages: 6 (250 words per double-spaced page)

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