John Steinbeck used the Great Depression as a basis for his novel The Grapes of Wrath. ... Many factors led up to this horrible event. ... There were many men standing outside the camp, some yelling and waving. ... Tom Joad goes outside to investigate the situation involving the yelling men, and Jim Casy, a former preacher, tells him they are striking against the owners who cut the wages in half. ... John Steinbeck has distinctively portrayed the struggle of the Great Depression within this novel. ...

• Word Count: 1234
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

Although the stock market crash was its immediate spark, there were many other contributing factors that stemmed from the uneven distribution of wealth in the United States during the 1920's. ... He wrote many other novels concerning the poor and oppressed, whom he found heroic and strong, even as they are defeated by the reality of their surroundings. ... Whatever your opinion, Steinbeck was one of the last writers to dream of writing the "Great American Novel". ... As a family, it is a natural fact of life that they have each other, while Lennie and George are often seen to be somethi...

• Word Count: 1752
• Approx Pages: 7
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

There are several key factors that play an important role in the argument such as Marxism, the class system, and the effects of these on Tom Joad. ... In the beginning of the novel, the reader reads about Tom Joad, who is fresh out of the State Penitentiary for murder. ... Steinbeck sets up the tensions between the rich and the poor in the beginning of the novel. ... Many of these refugees were offered homes outside of the work camps, however, no one was allowed out (206-207). ... Throughout the novel, tensions between the Bourgeoisie and the Proletariat are ever increasing.  ...

• Word Count: 2903
• Approx Pages: 12
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School