The presence of communism in The Grapes of Wrath is due to the struggle
between the proletarians and the bourgouisie, over the issue of private property and power. The property owners wish
to destroy the power of the proles by destroying the unity of the proletarian being. The primary theme concerning Marxism
is that when power is accumulated in too few hands, the people will revolt because they are poor, mistreated, and restless.
-THEME SENTENCE -
A social uprising by the proletarians requires a united group with a single focus
in order to successfully revolt.
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"I’m learnin’ one thing good… learnin it all the time, ever’
day. If you’re in trouble or hurt or need – go to poor people. They’re the only ones that’ll help
– the only ones." 513
This passage demonstrates the empathy that two people living under similiar circumstances
have for each other. The clerk helps the Ma Joad because he has been in similiar situations, and they are
both of the same perspective.
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"One fella started yellin' and nothin' happened"..."And we all got on the same tone, an' I tell ya,
it jus' seemed like that tank bulged an' give and swelled up. By God! Then sompin happened! They come a-runnin' and they give
us some other stuff to eat-give it to us. Ya see?" 522
Now Jim Casy understands what will need to happen in order to have a successful revolution: unity and
a common goal. If all the people gang up on the upper class, they will gain some ground. This passage also emphasizes
the efficiency of the group over the individual.
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"An' it on'y got unholywhen one mis'able little fella got the bit in his teeth an' run off his
own way, kickin' an' draggin' and fightin'. Fella like that bust the holiness. But when they're all workin
together, not one fella for another fella, but one fella kind of harnessed to the whole shebang-that's right, that's holy."
110
This again describes the spirit of unity that the lower class must have if they want to rebel. This passage is
another example of the importance of the group over the individual.
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"Or anybody. Use' ta be the fambly was fust. It ain't so now. It's anybody. Worse off we get,
the more we got to do." 606
Ma exudes her understanding of the theme in this passage. The family has evolved from being self-concerned to being
helpful, socialistic, and sharing; an imperative of communism.
