Living in the midst of the 1930's dust bowl was one of the most adverse eras to possibly experience. John Steinbeck gives us a realistic view of the way life was in the 1930's, through the American novel, Grapes of Wrath. The book displays a story of one Oklahoma farm family, the Joad's, that was driven off their homes and forced to travel westward, looking for a new life. As the Joad's go on their journey, they encounter many complex circumstances that delay their destination. Throughout the novel, Ma Joad progresses into the stronghold of the entire family.

A large house with a white picket fence and a small piece of land to grow their personal foods would all be aspects that Ma Joad yearned for when arriving at California. Before reaching California ma bombarded her head with unrealistic items that she anticipated until reality...