THE AMERICAN DREAM
Grapes of Wrath
James Truslow Adams stated that the American Dream was "that dream of
a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with
opportunity for each according to ability or achievement". Yet the onset of
the Great Depression nullified the traditional Amercan Dream by making it
entirely unnatainable. However, the Joad Family in Grapes of Wrath seek
this dream in California, which to them represents the possibility of achieving
the American Dream.
"Why don’t you go to California? There’s work there and it never gets
cold. Why, you can reach out anywhere and pick an orange. Why,
there’s always some kind of crop to work in. Why don’t you go there?"
(Steinbeck, 36)
Yet, corruption and greed halted any and all hope of the American Dream. Many of the problems that the Joad family and others faced on the trek to California were caused by corporate leaders and selfish landowners. As a result, the wealthy businessman and landowners followed a path that allowed them to exploit the farmers and and the many hopeful travelers into poverty.
"If a bank or finance company owned the land, the owner man said, The Bank – or the Company – needs – wants – insists – must have – as though the Bank or the Company were a monster, with thought and feeling, which had ensnared them." (Steinbeck, 31)