Bonus Activity – The Grapes of Wrath^{^[1]}

Overview:

· This activity is worth 30 points.

· It is due on or before November 7

· Typed submissions are preferred. If hand written, these must be in blue or black ink and readable.

Background: Authored by John Steinbeck, Grapes of Wrath examines the impact of the Great Depression on tenant farmers who lost their farms in the Midwest and migrate to California, a land of “milk and honey.”

John Steinbeck was a socialist during the depression years --- he was among those who argued and cited examples of how the New Deal did not provide enough support to those living in poverty. As one learns more about the challenges faced by the Joad family the reality of Steinbeck’s argument is demonstrated.

Requirements: Cite and explain three examples in the film in which Steinbeck makes the point that the New Deal did not provide for the needs of the Joad family, and, by extension, the “Oakies” who migrated in the California in the 1930s.