The Grapes of Wrath

[Farnan]

I am currently reading The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinback for AP English. For those who don't know, The Grapes of Wrath is a book about farmers who couldn't pay their mortages and were forced to move to California, and eventually joined a union (I only started it so I don't know the full story). I know it is Steinback, who was an American Communist, political book, thus is biased towards his views, but I am coming to a crisis of consionous. When they talk about the farmers get kicked off their land that they owned for generations so a company can make profit just seems wrong to me. On the other hand, if that land can be used more effiently than there is more food produced, thus more people can eat. Also, I think there should be consequences for actions, but I can't help but feel bad for people hurt.

(Please move to mudpit, sorry)

[ForgottenImmortal]

Since when does somebody who sides withh the working man a communist? That's like saying anybody who likes the state is a fascist. And the idea of pushing people off their land so the society benefits is a communist/socialist philosphy as you claim is happening in the book. In reality they, and real people the book is inspired by, got pushed off their land because of greedy corporations, and it wouldn't benefit anybody else butthem.

[Farnan]

Since when does somebody who sides withh the working man a communist? That's like saying anybody who likes the state is a fascist. And the idea of pushing people off their land so the society benefits is a communist/socialist philosphy as you claim is happening in the book. In reality they, and real people the book is inspired by, got pushed off their land because of greedy corporations, and it wouldn't benefit anybody else butthem.

John Steinback was part of the American Communist party.
Also, about society benefiting, that was part of my own view and beliefs.

[Søren]

Moved by request of the topic starter -TBN

[imb39]

Farnan's developing a social conscience! Only joking!!!

Many horrible things happen in life. This gets worse when money is tight for all. You just have to believe that, overall, things get better. Maybe a family has farmed land for generations, but times change and it generally sorts itself out in the end. In Britain we had the miners strikes in the 80's. Communities were destroyed but, I believe, it had to be done as these communities were not viable anymore. Like I said, it's not nice but things change. For evidence - go to Petra. Here a whole city died due to changing trade routes.

[blitz576]

Make sure you get a 4 or a 5 on the AP, it'll save you a lot of pain and suffering later on in college.. At least if you don't particulary like the humanities side of things.

[Guderian]

Farnan is a pinko! GET HIM!

Seriously this is the reason why Iam against the free market. It puts too much power in the hands of the individual. I agree things change, but the changes should be implemented by peers (i.e citizens) not by the power of an individual entity (i.e businessman or corporation) alone. The free market to me can only lead to tyranny in one form or another.

[Fiachdubh]

For some reason I always taught it was something to do with the Arab-Isreali conflict, dont know why, never read it and probably never will, especially now that I know what its about.

[IronBrig4]

That's why Adam Smith's brand of capitalism will never work. CEO's aren't interested in their communities or in their workers. Their sole purpose in life is to make money, no matter who or what gets hurt. Avaricious swine!

[Tom Paine]

That's why Adam Smith's brand of capitalism will never work. CEO's aren't interested in their communities or in their workers. Their sole purpose in life is to make money, no matter who or what gets hurt. Avaricious swine!

Precisely; "trickle-down economics" are a nice idea in theory but even less practical than revolutiovnary communism is... the CEOs get greedy and decide not to trickle down. Now what?

[therussian]

I had to read Upton Sinclair's "THe Jungle" in seventh grade. Man.........that was gruesome. America at it's finest, eh?

[Templedog]

Farnan, stop crying about those farmers.....jesus. It's not the end of the world or anything...coomon.

[Farnan]

Farnan, stop crying about those farmers.....jesus. It's not the end of the world or anything...coomon.

And your the liberal....

[Prince Kassad]

Funny, I remember reading about a movie adaption of the book soon after it came out. it was very close to the book.

The sentiments in it or so anti-capitalist, that the Soviet Union leadership decided to use it as propaganda showing how horrible life in the U.S. was.

The plan backfired. Russians watched the movie - and walked out of the theater feeling envious. "Wow, those Americans get to drive their own cars and trucks, and can travel all over the place without getting a government permit!"