Socio-Cultural Influences in The Grapes of Wrath

The film's themes are hope and democracy and they basically represent the Great Depression era. America was suffering the Great Depression and the farmers specially in Oklahoma were severely affected because they lost their land due to the Dust Bowl and they had to migrate to California. The Film questions democracy, it makes a strong statement on weather all they're doing is worth it because the people are suffering the most. It's a difficult and depressing time for the people, but yet John Ford decides to include the theme of hope because of the difficult era. These themes bring conflict to the story plot and because the characters struggle to survive, which is a familiar situation for the American, they develop interest and grow attached to the characters. All this contributes to the genre of drama; the critical situations, the conflicts and the suspense all are part of the drama genre. In addition many of the values that the characters fight for are values that the audience share and they feel related to them, this part of what makes The Grapes of Wrath a classic film. Another film that can be related to this work is Our Daily Bread directed by King Vidor in 1939. These are american film and target the American audience because they're the ones that can relate to the film, especially adults. The Grapes of Wrath represent the American culture and make a huge impact of society, because they see the story of their lives being played on the big screen. But it also inspires other films to attempt to bring reality to a film and appeal for the audience's emotional attachment to the characters and story.