The Grapes of Wrath #1

I think that this story reveals a lot about the author, Steinbeck. I think he believes in doing what you feel is right even if others don't think it is the right thing to do. Such as the Joads continuing to move to California even though a lot of people told them it wasn't as great as some people make it sound. Tom also killed a man and his family said it was the right thing to do because he was protecting himself. Because of the family's opinion I believe Steinbeck could have the same attitude. Throughout the story the characters tell one another to do what they have to do even if it wasn't necessarily a good thing. Uncle John getting drunk and the children getting into fights are some examples of this attitude. "A fella got to do what he got to do. Nobody don' know enough to tell 'im." Uncle John took the coins. "You ain't gonna be mad? You know I got to?'" "Christ, yes," said Pa. "You know what you got to do." (Steinbeck 269) That example was from when Uncle John wanted to get drunk and his family understood and let him even though they were short on money. I also think that the author values everything that he owns, even the smallest things. The family left with only the necessities and they survived the long journey to California and once they got there they had what the needed to live as well. You could tell that Steinbeck honors his possessions and believes others should as well. The Grapes of Wrath was written in third person. I think that was a good choice made by the author. Since there are a lot of characters in the book you get the chance to read about all of them instead of just reading mostly about the thoughts and views of one main character. I liked how I got to read about everyone and get to know all of the characters.