Grapes of Wrath- Question 1

I am going to answer the questions "What does the writing reveal about the author's values and attitudes? From what perspective does he/she write?" from the book Grapes of Wrath. First of all the author of the book is John Steinbeck. John Steinbeck actually grew up in California, where part of the story takes place. He also grew up on a farm and had many jobs as he was growing up. These jobs include part time writer, laborer, apprenticehood-carrier, apprentice painter, caretaker of an estate, surveyor, watchman, and fruit-picker. (Liukkonen, Petri.) This was all before he wrote his first book. This past of hardships and hard work gave him a good idea on how to write Grapes of Wrath because he could refer to stories of his own life. He grew up having to pay for his own schooling and pretty much anything that he wanted on his own. This makes it obvious that he values hard work because he grew up having to do it. This reflects in the book when the Joad family especially has to constantly be doing hard work in order to survive. (Steinbeck, John, and Robert J. DeMott.) The author also has a very large value for family as well. This is displayed throughout the book he talks about the Joad family wanting to wait for their son to be out of prison. When it talks about them all sticking together and helping one another survive. Also he values the hard working poor people and sees them as good people. This was shown in the book when the mother said "If you're in trouble or hurt or need—go to poor people. They're the only ones that'll help—the only ones."(Steinbeck, John, and Robert J. DeMott.p.394) The author writes in the perspective of third person. This allows him to write about the thoughts and ideas of every/ any character he chooses. This gives you a better insight to the characters and how they are really feeling and acting.

Steinbeck, John, and Robert J. DeMott. The Grapes of Wrath. New York: Penguin, 2006. Print.

Liukkonen, Petri. "John Steinbeck." Www.kirjasto.sci.fi. Web. 15 Aug. 2011. .