The Grapes of Wrath

“It is not the tractor, but the way the tractor is owned which hurts the tenant farmers.” What is the meaning of this quote?

Is it legitimate to kill in self-defense? Discuss this in connection with the characters of Tom and Casy.

What significance do rain and water—and their absence—have in the novel?

“It is always better to know the truth about where one is heading”. Discuss this quote in connection with the Joads and their ideas about California.

How far can the traditional family be reconciled with a genuine form of community? How does the novel’s ending address this question?

Why does Steinbeck use “impersonal” chapters alongside those describing the main narrative?

“The problem for the migrants in The Grapes of Wrath is too little government not enough”. Discuss the meaning of this quote.

Can nostalgia for a lost way of life ever be a positive thing? How does this question relate to the migrants’ experiences?