FREE ESSAY ON THE SIGNIFICANCE IN THE APPELATION OF THE GRAPES OF WRATH

THE SIGNIFICANCE IN THE APPELATION OF THE GRAPES OF WRATH

Elizabeth Hickert Hickert 1
The Significance in The Appellation of The Grapes of Wrath
John Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath, justifies its title within the tale. This novel is
the description of a migrant farming family during the Dust Bowl and Great Depression of
the 1930's. It is the all too typical event of a farm repossession ultimately leading to
the need for the family to leave. The Joad's, our main characters, are the people through
which the story is conveyed. They have been fed false hopes toward the Promised Land of
California, convincing them to make the journey even further west than their Oklahoma
home. The Grapes of Wrath is the description of this pilgrimage and the snags they face
along the way. The Joad's become extremely impoverished, and destitute, and the only hope
for survival is the hold they have to each other. The book also includes many alternating
intercalary chapters, to make the hardships seem more generic. These chapters generally
describe life for migrant farmers and midwesterners of this time period. The title, The
Grapes of Wrath holds high significance in the actual telling of the story. It is
representative of the ideals that these people held and the ultimate realization of their
prevarication. 
Grapes, in this novel are very metaphorical. When the Joad family originally decides to
make the long journey to California, Grampa sets a significant scene. ...Know what I'm
a-gonna do? I'm gonna pick me a wash tub full of grapes, an' I'm gonna set in 'em, and
scrooge aroun', an' let the juice run down my pants (119). He 
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describes what he will do when he gets there, which involves grapes. His description of
this act is jovial and demonstrates the Promised Land aspect of California. This is when
the family is full of hope, and grapes are the symbol for their new and better life.
Grapes, being a fruit, which is traditionally stately, represents rebirth and renewal. It
also shows a higher social standing by making the implication that they will be able to
enjoy such simple pleasures and most likely drink of the expensive wines of the
California vineyards. At this point in the story, the grape is solely representative of
all that is good, new and pure in their journey, and the hope that lies ahead. Before
their dreams are lost, this is their stronghold and what keeps them pressing on in their
trip. 
Because of the destitute trip involved in getting to California, the Wrath aspect of the
title is also accurate. This, however is different from the grapes. Wrath represents the
actuality of the journey, not the dream, as the grapes do. Wrath, definitively means
Violent, resentful anger; rage; fury (American Heritage 1477). This definition relates to
the struggle in the story well. The grapes, which represent the dreams of the characters,
end up being what hurts them the most. They have endearing wills to carry on because of
their hopes, which ultimately, because they end up apart, hurt, or desolate, is what has
hurt them the most. Because of their need for success and the will to gain it, they will
not give in to the fact that they have failed. Ma constantly attempts to keep the family
together, even when it might be too late. Family's falling apart...I don't know. Seems
like I can't think no more. I jus' can't think. They's too much (278). Because it is
their dreams (the grapes) that have scorned them with wrath (ultimate demise), the title,
The Grapes of Wrath, is very fitting. Although dreaming of the Promised Land can be 
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helpful, because of the nature of this particular story, these dreams ended up hurting
the Joads more than improving their livelihood. 
The Grapes of Wrath was titled very deliberately by John Steinbeck. The comparison and
metaphor of the grapes with dreaming and promise make it accurate. The ultimate breaking
of the family, and desperate measures they have to take very well represent the Wrath
portion of the title. This title was well chosen, and very significant to the plot.