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)