Greed In The Grapes Of Wrath
“The Grapes of Wrath”
The Power of Human Greed
Historical and economic circumstances lead to the formation of two main social groups in “The Grapes of Wrath”: landowners and tenants. Those who own land fight to maintain authority and control, while tenants struggle to make ends meet. Existing conditions create hostility between both groups and lead to greater income disparity.
Although the worsening situation of the farmers in Steinbeck’s novel results from soil exploitation and disadvantageous weather, one might argue that division into rich and poor inflicts the pain and suffering, not only in the novel but also in the whole world.
One of the main themes in “The Grapes of Wrath” is revealing about the relationship between the …show more content…
Unemployment is, economically speaking, wasteful. When the unemployment rate (the percentage of people who are seeking work but do not have jobs; it is also an important indicator of the health of a nation's economy) reaches a quarter of the workforce, as it did in the
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United States during the Great Depression, a quarter of the economy's ability to produce is being squandered. So why are there many greedy people such as landowners in “the Grapes of Wrath”? Possessions can bring pleasure. And pleasure can become addictive. If pleasure is mistakenly associated with happiness, it is not surprising that landowners in Steinbeck’s novel, as an example, pursue it without end. Another reason for greed is fear. For example, Californians are afraid there is only so much material to go around, and if they are not quick enough, “Okies” may take over. This is well presented in the chapter nineteen: ”once California belonged to
Mexico and its land to Mexicans; and a horde of tattered feverish Americans poured in. And such was their hunger for land that they took the land.” (p.231) Putting it in another words, Californians are afraid that ”Okies” will organize and do what they
The Power of Human Greed
Historical and economic circumstances lead to the formation of two main social groups in “The Grapes of Wrath”: landowners and tenants. Those who own land fight to maintain authority and control, while tenants struggle to make ends meet. Existing conditions create hostility between both groups and lead to greater income disparity.
Although the worsening situation of the farmers in Steinbeck’s novel results from soil exploitation and disadvantageous weather, one might argue that division into rich and poor inflicts the pain and suffering, not only in the novel but also in the whole world.
One of the main themes in “The Grapes of Wrath” is revealing about the relationship between the …show more content…
Unemployment is, economically speaking, wasteful. When the unemployment rate (the percentage of people who are seeking work but do not have jobs; it is also an important indicator of the health of a nation's economy) reaches a quarter of the workforce, as it did in the
2
United States during the Great Depression, a quarter of the economy's ability to produce is being squandered. So why are there many greedy people such as landowners in “the Grapes of Wrath”? Possessions can bring pleasure. And pleasure can become addictive. If pleasure is mistakenly associated with happiness, it is not surprising that landowners in Steinbeck’s novel, as an example, pursue it without end. Another reason for greed is fear. For example, Californians are afraid there is only so much material to go around, and if they are not quick enough, “Okies” may take over. This is well presented in the chapter nineteen: ”once California belonged to
Mexico and its land to Mexicans; and a horde of tattered feverish Americans poured in. And such was their hunger for land that they took the land.” (p.231) Putting it in another words, Californians are afraid that ”Okies” will organize and do what they