I feel ashamed for all the times I’ve ever been ungrateful for what I have. I feel ashamed for the times I thought of myself instead of helping others. I cried for the Joad family, and for every family that has ever experienced and is currently experiencing the devastation of poverty. I marveled at the generosity, courage, wisdom, and perseverance displayed by some of the characters, even up until the very last moment when they had absolutely nothing. I feel rage towards the great owners for pushing them off their land, the great owners for driving them into destitution, and the great owners of our day and age who continue to inflict this sort of suffering on people.
Truly one of the most important pieces of American literature. It both tells the story of a specific demographic in American history, and the story of everyone who has ever suffered at the hands of greed and hatred. I’ll be giving my husband and my children a longer, warmer hug than usual tonight.
by pnutbutterfuck
3 Comments
most important piece of literature in the American canon for sure
Steinbeck will do that for ya. Highly recommend East of Eden next if you’re up for the long haul.
I agree with you 100%. The Joad’s story is incredibly powerful. It moved me to tears, the first time I read it over 30 years ago, with that ending. Steinbeck still found that sliver of redemption, in the end. 😭