Capitalism and Dehumanization In Jhon Steinbeck‘s Grapes of Wrath
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Date
2021-06
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
UNIVERSITY OF MOHAMED BOUDIAF
Abstract
Abstract
The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck is an American classic novel known for its extraordinary
descriptive quality. It gained this title for its realistic depiction of American life throughout the great
depression and the dust bowl, This Marxist-based research attempts to reveal the socioeconomic
complication and implications of the capitalist system; through shedding light on the hardships of
Oklahoma families who were expelled from their land and become immigrant farmers in California in the
hope of improving their living conditions. However, they found landowners harshness who exploited them
to earn more profits, along with the discrimination they faced by Californians because of their prejudice
towards the Oklahomans (the okies). Therefore, farmers were oppressed twice, first from the savage
capitalist system, and the second from the society; where they were dehumanized and commoditized to
something that is less than human. The Grapes of Wrath reveals oppressive and unequal power
relationships that shaped the social experiences the American individual during the great depression
Description
Keywords
Key Words The Grapes of Wrath, The Great Depression, The Dust Bowl, Capitalism, Dehumanization