Analysis of the Characters in The Grapes of Wrath

Abstract

  John Steinbeck was a famous American writer in the 20th century. His novels, with high accomplishment, combine realism and fantasy harmoniously. He was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1962. His classic work, The Grapes of Wrath, a great documentary literary work of American society, is an epic full of the blood, tears, resentment and struggle of American farmers, and a legendary work that warns people to be kind and full of hope in poverty and suffering. In this works, Steinbeck has created many vivid characters longing for a better life and has depicted their inner struggle and powerlessness in face of reality, which deeply touch us. Based on the analysis of the representative characters like priest Casy, farmer Tom, Ma Joad and Rose of Sharon Rivers, this paper depicts their miserable life and psychological development, revealing the connotation of human kindness and benevolence. At the same time, through the analysis of the growth of these characters and the profound reflection on the value of humanity, this paper aims to eulogize their spirit of unity, struggle and sacrifice so as to enlighten the readers: only by unity can the poor people fight for their right to survive and pursue social fairness and justice firmly.