This thesis paper analyzes how Steinbeck´s Joads in The Grapes of Wrath were discriminated and violated in their civil rights by fellow Americans under the banner of the “Red Scare”, effectively shutting the door on their personal American Dream for the time being, by stripping them off rights granted by the Founding Fathers to every American. This paper will look at facts why those tactics and methods have been - and to some part - are still successful within the American society in dividing it and creating fear, anger and social unrest within society.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Origin of the “Red Scare”
3. The “Red Scare” and the American Dream
4. The Grapes of Wrath in the Context of the “Red Scare”
4.1 Style and Language
4.2 The Suffering of the Joads Under the “Red Scare” Paranoia
4.2.1 The Autocracy of the AF
4.2.2 The Right to Life and Liberty
4.2.3 The Right to Private Ownership of Property
4.3 The Motivations and Methods Behind the “Red Scare” Tactics
4.3.1 Motivation by Greed
4.3.2 Motivation by Existential Fear
4.3.3 Methods of Repression
5. Conclusion
Objectives and Topics
This paper examines how the “Red Scare” ideology was utilized by the Associated Farmers of California to discriminate against migrant workers, specifically the Joad family, by violating their civil rights and obstructing their pursuit of the American Dream.
- Historical analysis of the “Red Scare” and its roots in American society.
- Literary analysis of John Steinbeck’s "The Grapes of Wrath" as a foundation for non-fictional social criticism.
- Investigation of economic and social tactics used to exploit migrant labor.
- Exploration of the conflict between corporate greed and the American Dream.
Excerpt from the Book
4.3.1 Motivation by Greed
Greed is an abundant theme in The Grapes of Wrath. The Joads are already used to being economically exploited by business owners as they travel on Highway 66 towards California.
Once they have arrived in California they learn what true economic exploitation means. Their existence becomes one of survival instead of pursuing the American Dream. As the Joads enter the California labor market, a huge oversupply for unskilled migrant workers exists. This unbalanced situation has been created artificially by the AF and exploits the migrating farmers even further via the infamous handbills.
"Back home some fellas come through with han'bills—orange ones. Says they need lots a people out here to work the crops." The young man laughed. "They say they's three hunderd thousan' us folks here, an' I bet ever' dam' fam'ly seen them han'bills." "Yeah, but if they don' need folks, what'd they go to the trouble puttin' them things out for?" […] "S'pose you got a job a work, an' there's jus' one fella wants the job. You got to pay 'im what he asts. […] S'pose they's a hunderd men wants that job. S'pose them men got kids, an' those kids is hungry. S'pose a lousy dime'll buy a box a mush for them kids. S'pose a nickel'll buy at leas' somepin for them kids. An' you got a hunderd men. Jus' offer 'em a nickel—why, they'll kill each other fightin' for that nickel.” Tom said, “That’s stinkin´” (Steinbeck 256)
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter introduces John Steinbeck’s motivations for writing "The Grapes of Wrath" and outlines the research objective regarding the discrimination of the Joads under the “Red Scare.”
2. Origin of the “Red Scare”: This section analyzes the historical post-WWI environment in the U.S. that led to the emergence of the “Red Scare” and the suppression of labor strikes.
3. The “Red Scare” and the American Dream: This chapter contrasts the national ethos of the American Dream with the fear-based rhetoric surrounding Communism.
4. The Grapes of Wrath in the Context of the “Red Scare”: This chapter analyzes how Steinbeck interweaves non-fictional historical events with the fictional narrative of the Joad family.
4.1 Style and Language: This section discusses Steinbeck’s use of naturalism, interchapters, and restricted language codes to depict the working class.
4.2 The Suffering of the Joads Under the “Red Scare” Paranoia: This chapter highlights the systemic victimization of the Joads by the Associated Farmers of California.
4.2.1 The Autocracy of the AF: This section details the concentration of power within the AF and their use of local law enforcement to intimidate migrants.
4.2.2 The Right to Life and Liberty: This section explores how the AF stripped migrants of their fundamental rights through labor exploitation and violence.
4.2.3 The Right to Private Ownership of Property: This chapter examines the illusion of property ownership and the systematic prevention of migrants from acquiring land.
4.3 The Motivations and Methods Behind the “Red Scare” Tactics: This section provides an overview of the strategic goals pursued by the AF through fear-based manipulation.
4.3.1 Motivation by Greed: This section explains how economic exploitation and the creation of an artificial labor oversupply served the interests of the AF.
4.3.2 Motivation by Existential Fear: This section discusses the fear held by landowners that history would repeat itself and their subsequent use of intimidation.
4.3.3 Methods of Repression: This section summarizes the various methods, including wage suppression and violence, used by the AF to maintain control.
5. Conclusion: The final chapter summarizes the findings and reflects on the necessity of renewing social values to protect modern democratic societies.
Keywords
Red Scare, John Steinbeck, The Grapes of Wrath, American Dream, Associated Farmers of California, labor exploitation, civil rights, migrant workers, Communism, social inequality, Great Depression, class struggle, repression, historical context, New Deal.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this thesis?
The thesis analyzes how the “Red Scare” was used as a tool for discrimination and the violation of civil rights against migrant workers, specifically the Joad family, in John Steinbeck’s "The Grapes of Wrath."
What are the central themes discussed in the work?
Central themes include the economic exploitation of labor, the conflict between corporate greed and the American Dream, the role of political propaganda, and the systemic abuse of power.
What is the primary research goal?
The goal is to demonstrate how the “Red Scare” rhetoric successfully rallied opposition against migrant workers and made the achievement of the American Dream unattainable for them.
Which scientific methodology is applied?
The author employs a literary analysis of "The Grapes of Wrath," verifying fictional plot points through historical and non-fictional documentation of the 1930s labor struggle.
What is covered in the main body of the paper?
The main body examines the historical origins of the “Red Scare,” the stylistic elements of Steinbeck’s novel, and specific methods of repression such as wage depression, intimidation, and the autocracy of the Associated Farmers.
Which keywords best characterize this study?
Key terms include Red Scare, labor exploitation, Associated Farmers of California, civil rights, and Steinbeck’s naturalistic narrative style.
How does the Associated Farmers of California maintain control over the Joads?
The AF maintains control by creating an artificial labor oversupply, manipulating political rhetoric to frame migrants as communist threats, and using law enforcement and vigilante violence to suppress unionization.
What is the significance of the “handbills” mentioned in the book?
The handbills are a tool of economic deception; they lure excess labor to California to drive down wages, ensuring that migrant workers remain in a state of perpetual poverty and dependence.
How does the author characterize the outcome of the struggle for the Joads?
The struggle remains difficult and largely open-ended; while the Joads face immense suffering, the author notes that the AF’s tactics were eventually challenged by the public following investigations like those by the LaFollette Committee.
- Citar trabajo
- Jürgen Stary (Autor), 2012, The Associated Farmers of California, Inc. Versus the Joads, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/200577
