The Importance of Chapter Twenty-Five Tom Hale

Chapter Twenty-Five is central to John Steinbecks The Grapes of Wrath. Besides containing the title of the book, this chapter clearly, forcefully, and elegantly drives home Steinbecks central messagethe injustice of life in the Depression-era American west. Without doubt one of Steinbecks strongest attributes as a writer is the way he makes the reader feel his words. Chapter Twenty-Five is an excellent example of this technique. Through his overall structure, graphic appeal to the senses, and approachable, rhythmic sentences, Steinbeck allows the reader to experience chapter Twenty-Five, and in doing so gives the reader no choice but to connect with his theme.

Steinbeck presents the reader with two main contrasting sections joined by a third transitional one. The first, which portrays the verdant bounty of nature, is juxtaposed with the second, which portrays human suffering. Steinbecks point is simple and ironic; "men who have created new fruits in the world cannot create a system whereby their fruits can be eaten" (448). How Steinbeck chooses to structure his point is likewise uncomplicated, yet incredibly effective. He simply gives the reader the first sectionverdant crops, and contrasts it with the second section...