The Grapes of Wrath: What To Compare It To (OCR A Level English Literature)

Topic sentence

Both The Grapes of Wrath and The Great Gatsby critique the American Dream during the early 20th century

Evidence and analysis

The Grapes of Wrath 

The Great Gatsby

The novel highlights the exploitation of the working class during the Great Depression

The novel illustrates the emptiness and moral decay beneath the surface of the American Dream during the 1920s

The Joads, lured by promises of jobs and prosperity in California, find the reality starkly different

Gatsby’s immense wealth and extravagant parties do not bring him happiness or fulfilment

The dream of a better life is shattered by the harsh conditions, lack of employment and the ruthless treatment of migrant workers

The characters’ lives reveal the limitations of social mobility, despite the idea that America is a land of opportunity

The Grapes of Wrath challenges the idea that material success is the ultimate fulfilment of the American Dream

The Great Gatsby exposes the moral corruption of the upper class, represented by characters like Tom Buchanan and the lifestyle in East Egg

Steinbeck shows how economic forces and powerful interests contribute to the suffering of the Joad family and other migrant workers

Fitzgerald suggests that the pursuit of the American Dream can lead to ethical compromise and a loss of moral values

Topic sentence

Both The Grapes of Wrath and The Great Gatsby touch upon the issues of class struggle

Evidence and analysis

The Grapes of Wrath

The Great Gatsby

Steinbeck highlights the exploitation of the working class during the Great Depression

East Egg and West Egg symbolise the established wealthy class and the nouveau riche

The novel illustrates the exploitation of migrant workers who are willing to accept low wages for harsh working conditions

The novel portrays the stark difference in wealth and social status between characters

The Joads face exploitation by both economic systems and fellow workers

Fitzgerald explores the tension between those born into wealth (old money) and those who acquire it later in life (new money)

The writer shows how migrant families face discrimination and hostility in California

The writer shows how the upper class is exclusive and resistant to social mobility

The struggle for jobs intensifies as economic conditions worsen, leading to conflict between different classes of workers

Gatsby’s lavish parties are attended by the wealthy and famous, but he struggles to be fully accepted in their social circles

Topic sentence

Whilst both Steinbeck and Fitzgerald examine and critique social classes, they focus on the lives of different groups

Evidence and analysis

The Grapes of Wrath

The Great Gatsby

Steinbeck examines the impact of economic forces on the working class during the Great Depression

Fitzgerald focuses on the elite upper class and the nouveau riche

The novel highlights the conflict between labourers and powerful corporate interests

The novel explores the tension between those born into wealth and those who acquire it later in life

The Grapes of Wrath explores the challenges faced by those striving for a better life

The Great Gatsby depicts the exclusivity of the upper class, where acceptance is often based on lineage and social standing

The writer emphasises the importance of solidarity and unity among the working class

The writer critiques the materialistic values of the upper class as characters prioritise wealth and luxury over genuine human connections and moral values

The Joads and other migrant families support each other in the face of adversity

The writer highlights the illusion of the American Dream, suggesting that even with wealth, individuals may not find true happiness or acceptance

Topic sentence

Both Steinbeck and Fitzgerald set their stories in America, but during different decades of importance

Evidence and analysis

The Grapes of Wrath 

The Great Gatsby

The Grapes of Wrath is set during the 1930s, a time of severe economic downturn known as the Great Depression

Gatsby is set in the 1920s, which is a period known as the Roaring Twenties or the Jazz Age

The story takes place against the backdrop of the Dust Bowl, a period of severe dust storms and agricultural devastation in the Great Plains

This period is characterised by economic prosperity and social change

The story reflects the mass migration of families from the Dust Bowl region to California in search of economic opportunities 

The story takes place in the aftermath of World War I, with societal shifts and changes in values

The Grapes of Wrath features the context of labour strikes and social justice issues, as the working class faced economic challenges

The story occurs during the Prohibition era, when the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages were prohibited

The narrative unfolds during a period when Franklin D Roosevelt’s New Deal policies aimed to address economic hardships and provide relief

The Great Gatsby reflects the decadence and excesses of the time, with extravagant parties and a pursuit of pleasure

Text

Summary

Key comparisons with The Grapes of Wrath

The Portrait of a Lady by Henry James (1881) – set text list

The novel explores the constraints faced by women in the late 19th century. It follows a character by the name of Isabel Archer as she tries to navigate through love, marriage and a desire for independence 

• The main character is Isabel Archer, a spirited and independent American woman who inherits a substantial fortune and travels to Europe to explore life

• Against advice, she marries Gilbert Osmond, only to discover his manipulative and controlling nature

• Isabel realises the gravity of her mistake as she feels trapped and unhappy in a relationship that stifles her independence

• Isabel’s cousin tries to help her, but his terminal illness limits his ability to intervene

• The novel concludes with Isabel contemplating her future, regretting her choices and facing the consequences of her decisions

• The characters in this novel could be compared to the female characters in the Grapes of Wrath

Native Son by Richard Wright (1940) – set text list

The novel follows Bigger Thomas, a young African American man in 1930s Chicago, as he grapples with extreme poverty and systemic racism. After accidentally killing a white woman, he becomes embroiled in a web of fear and violence

• The novel revolves around Bigger Thomas living in poverty in 1930s Chicago, grappling with the oppressive realities of racism and societal expectations

• Bigger accidentally kills a white woman and his actions set off a chain of events

• Driven by fear and the inevitability of persecution, Bigger engages in a series of violent acts, reflecting the oppressive environment that shapes his responses

• Bigger is captured and put on trial, highlighting the racial prejudices within the legal system and society at large

• The novel serves as a powerful critique of systemic racism, illustrating how institutionalised prejudice can lead individuals to desperate and destructive actions in the face of oppressive circumstances

The Lord of the Flies by William Golding (1954)

A group of boys, stranded on a desert island due to a plane crash, attempt to establish a civilised society but descend into chaos and brutality.

• Set in the 1950s, the novel focuses on a group of boys who survive a plane crash and find themselves stranded on a deserted island

• They attempt to create a society with rules, leadership and order, but conflicts arise

• The boys succumb to their primal instincts, leading to the emergence of violence and chaos

• A symbolic figure, called the “Lord of the Flies”, represents the darker aspects of human nature

• The story explores themes of civilisation versus savagery, the loss of innocence and the impact of isolation

• It can be compared to The Grapes of Wrath as both novels delve into profound explorations of human nature, societal breakdown and the impact of external forces

An American Tragedy by Theodore Dreiser (1925)

The novel follows the ambitious but morally conflicted Clyde Griffiths as he strives for success in early-20th-century America.

• Clyde Griffiths is a young and ambitious man who aspires to climb the social ladder in early-20th-century America

• Clyde becomes entangled in a love affair with a woman of lower social status, while also pursuing a relationship with a more acceptable woman

• Clyde makes a series of tragic choices that end up killing the woman from the lower social standing

• Clyde is arrested and tried for her murder, and the legal proceedings form a significant part of the novel, highlighting the impact of societal expectations on justice

• Dreiser uses Clyde’s story to critique the American Dream, illustrating how societal pressures and the pursuit of success can lead to moral compromise and tragic consequences

• The novel is a classic tragedy that is a commentary on the nature of social and moral values in American society

Animal Farm by George Orwell (1945)

The novel tells the story of a group of farm animals who rebel against their farmer in an attempt to create a society where animals can be equal, free and happy.

• Animals on the farm rebel against their human owner

• The rebellion is fuelled by the desire for equality and freedom

• Initially, there is an attempt to create a fair and just society, but some of the animals gradually become corrupt

• The novel serves as a powerful allegory for the corruption of revolutionary ideals and the abuse of power

• Both the Grapes of Wrath and Animal Farm explore the impact of systemic oppression and social injustice