Grapes Of Wrath Narrative Analysis

Steinbeck’s Shift In Narration The Grapes of Wrath, written by John Steinbeck, constantly shifts the narration viewpoint from chapter to chapter throughout the entire novel. Even though it may readers, the shift in narration is important because not only does it provide perspective, but it also keeps the reader interested and informed throughout the story. Steinbeck is constantly alternating his narration from chapter to chapter to give numerous points of views to the reader. This allows perspective in the book and helps create a different atmosphere. In the novel, the author narrates from a third person limited point of view in most chapters, which allows the reader access to the character’s feelings, thoughts, and experiences, as well as background information on people, nature, and society. Although, the majority of the chapters in the novel are not revolved around a single character, but the life of the Joad family as a whole as they travel through their journey. For instance, “Al sat bent over the wheel, proud and serious and efficient, and Pa and Uncle John, as befitted the heads of the clan, had the honor seats beside the driver” illustrates the novel’s third person limited point of view (Steinbeck 95). However, Steinbeck also uses first and second person narrative on a few chapters to explain historical context. For example, Chapter 7 changes perspective to the first person view of an untrustworthy car salesman. He states, “God, if I could only get a hundred jalopies. I don't care if they run or not” (Steinbeck 63). These two quotes demonstrate the transition of the viewpoint of the Joad family’s
The shifts of the points of views add depth to the novel. Without the shift of narration from chapter to chapter, the book would not contain perspective and would affect the reader