The Grapes of Wrath

John Steinbeck’s novel “The Grapes of Wrath” can be a difficult novel to teach with its complex themes and characters. However, Steinbeck’s novels often resonate with students because of his realistic characterization and honest portrayal of human nature.  The themes of poverty and the pursuit of the American Dream make it especially meaningful for students in today’s society.

We teach our children that if they work hard, they can be successful, and that the American Dream is always within their grasp. Steinbeck’s novel explores this idea. It tells the story of a poor family during the Great Depression who leave for California in search of a better life for themselves. In today’s tumultuous financial climate students can identify with the concept of searching for a better life. Some students may be dealing with a parent’s sudden unemployment or finding themselves in a position where they need to work to contribute to the family finances. While “The Grapes of Wrath” is set during The Great Depression, the idea of a pursuit for a better life, and working to attain the American Dream are all things students can understand.

When teaching about Steinbeck's books one of the first activities I always have my students do is a dialectical journal. This is a journal that is essentially a paper divided in half. One side is reserved for significant quotes from the reading, and the other side is for the students’ reaction to these quotes. By keeping a record of interesting and intriguing insights from the text this enables students to keep that essential “text to self” connection and help to keep them engaged in the reading. Keeping a journal can also enable students to connect with the major themes of the novel. You can always give students guided reading questions to answer in their journals, such as “find evidence that the main characters believed a better life awaited them in California.”

There are other great cross-curricular projects to use while teaching “Grapes of Wrath” as well. Students can work together to create PowerPoint projects to share with their class on such topics as: The Great Depression, The New Deal, and migrant workers. Students can present these projects in order to teach the class, and help other students gain an understanding of many of the essential themes of the novel. Anytime a student is asked to teach a lesson, it helps them gain a deeper understanding of the material.

There are many great resources and English worksheets you can use while planning a unit on “The Grapes of Wrath.” You can find some of these lessons and worksheets below.

"The Grapes of Wrath" Lesson Plans and Activities:                                                     

Conflicting Images of Migrant Labor

This is an excellent cross-curricular resource that allows students to explore migrant labor. It also allows students to examine misconceptions about and prejudices toward migrant workers.

Creating Dramatic Monologues from the Grapes of Wrath

Students engage in creating monologues for the various characters in the novel. They explore character's motivations, and explore how the time in which the book was written affected each character.

A Glimpse of the Grapes of Wrath

An excellent pre-reading activity to introduce students to the novel and the novel's themes. This unit serves as excellent precursor to the book to help give students a foundation for the location and time period.

Compare and Contrast Essay

Students are asked to explore what life was like for a child of a migrant worker and then compare that to how they are depicted in the novel. This essay would serve as an excellent assessment for the conclusion of the novel.

 

 

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