The Grapes of Wrath

Whew...want to read a real tear-jerker? I didn't think so, but reading this book sure puts our current luxuries into perspective.

Tom has been hounding me for years to read one of his favorite books, "The Grapes of Wrath." I wasn't very interested, not because I didn't feel the story would be compelling, it was more for the reason that I haven't been interested in any sad stories, movies, or books describing human suffering. I guess I saw more than I ever wanted to experience first hand watching my mother's slow death from brain cancer. I didn't want to experience more, even if reading about it is easier than seeing it and living it with a loved one. After our last trip to the library and Tom's reading of the book again, I decided to plow forth and read.

Dust storms in the 1930's destroying towns and homesteads.

In the 1930's a devasting drought brought about a series of events that lead to terrible human suffering and death. John Steinbeck wrote, "The Grapes of Wrath" depicting what life was like during that time in history. The book follows the Joad Family as they leave their farm in Oaklahoma after the bank reposses it. Thousands of families were no longer able to grow crops after the drought which brought on horrible dust storms. The bank took over theses farms for lack of payment on the loans and the people had no choice but to leave their homeland in search of greener pastures and work in California.

Thousands of families sold all of their belongings, some getting only $18 for everything, and packing what they could on old jalopies purchased for $50-75.00. Setting out to cross the country with around $100 to their names, they experienced great heartache on their journey.

Once arriving in California they were told there would be work picking oranges and peaches. Unfortuantely, there were more families looking for work than there were jobs. Without water, shelter, and food, the migrant people starved to death. When work was found, often picking cotton, the land owners paid minimum wages knowing that someone would always work for less. If one man was willing to work for .35 cents a day, another would do it for .25 cents for any chance to feed his family. The hope of owning land, or a small farm to start fresh would never come for these people. They no longer worked for wages, but for a cup of flour and a spoonful of lard.

A typical cotton picker...some of the only work available...families would pick cotton in exchange for food for their starving families. The book ends with an example of true giving, but we are left wondering what happened to these people. I have been curious about how many generations it took until they were they able to sustain themselves. During one poignant scene a family couldn't afford a loaf of bread, but asked if the shop owner could cut off .10 cents worth so they would have something. I cannot even imagine what suffering these people experienced, but reading the book did make me appreciate every meal we are lucky enough to eat.

Tonight we are going to watch the movie made in 1940 starring Henry Fonda. Tom would like Kyle to read the book, hoping it will enable him to see how much we have as we live in a society that covets "more."

Have you read any great books this summer? We'd love your suggestions!