The Grapes of Wrath - context

Question 1

The Dustbowl

Answer 1

A period of severe dust storms which greatly damaged the ecology and agriculture of American prairies. - Oklahoma/Texas

Question 2

The Great Depression

Answer 2

The stock market crash in 1929 which caused economic struggle across America - High rates of unemployment and poverty.

Question 3

Migrant camps

Answer 3

These camps were sett up by the American government to provide safe housing and shelter to the influx of migrant workers going to California to look for jobs. - The conditions of these were not the best.

Question 4

Okies

Answer 4

A derogatory term used for the migrant workers who were leaving Oklahoma to California - Often characterized as being dirty and unruly.

Question 5

Realism

Answer 5

Steinbeck uses realism in TGOW as he portrays realistic characters, setting a feasible plot - there isn’t a romanticized plot it shows the reality for the workers. - no happy ending.

-Colloquial language/speech patterns
-Economic hardships
-Social injustices