The Grapes of Wrath
The Grapes of Wrath is more than just an exciting American novel. It captures the problems of thousands of American citizens who their dreams and lives were crushed by the great depression (Cape 2). For that reason, I believe the reading ought to remain in the syllabus. The theme and ideas presented by John Steinbeck in The Grapes of Wrath are relevant to current America. Although the economy is not as bad as it was during the Great Depression, the American economy is still at recession point. The immigrants' hardships outlined by the reading correspond with the current immigrants' difficulties.
Firstly, the book covers the horrible working and living conditions of immigrants during the Great Depression.
At the time, John Steinbeck's way of telling the truth was considered offensive and controversial. Despite the controversy that followed the book, people were shocked by the living conditions of immigrants as stipulated in the book. Nothing much has changed for the illegal immigrants- similar difficulty, the similar level of poverty and level of despair, yet no one is speaking about it (Cape 4). If the problem is to be solved, students need to be exposed to similar past scenarios.
Secondly, the novel covers the issue of class conflict where it outlines reasons why the haves and have-nots are always at war.
Although the reading dwells more on the have-nots, it shows why the fight will not end if the resources are not equally distributed among community members. The publication also covered the issue of media-driven stories which most of the time do not reflect the real problem on the ground (ENotes). While the situations in the contemporary world are a bit different, media bias is still rampant. Despite the time difference between the Great Depression and the current recession, the emotional and the physical consequences are pretty much the same.
The Grapes of Wrath stands out when it comes to social commentary.
Unlike most writers, Steinbeck in this book focuses on character. The characters in the book can talk and live in a society rather than having the characters commented or described. Through social commentary, he was able to draw the necessity of action and morality of different characters as they pursue their dreams. Through his writing in The Grapes of Wrath, Steinbeck managed to inspire fellow writers for instance T.C. Boyle who wrote extensively about the Mexican immigrants (ENotes). Steinbeck also inspired writers from different genres, for example, Stephen King.
The fact that The Grapes of Wrath touched all types of people is also a plus to why it should be in the syllabus. Every story in this book gives an insight into how human being act and their nature in general. Through The Grapes of Wrath and other publications, Steinbeck came up with real issues that people can discuss and strategies on how to address them. His work has become so popular that a center known as Center for Steinbeck Studies was established (ENotes). The center usually hosts discussion every month where people discuss things that connect them as Americans. Although his work affected many people, it had a unique impact on the Eastern and Indian people. With this book in the syllabus, students will be able to explore the American history, social inequality and most importantly social commentary which is very popular in the literary world.
Death of a Salesman
Arthur Miller's play, Death of a Salesman, is the reading that should be eliminated from the syllabus. The play revolves around identity loss and the inability of man to accept change especially the one that occurs within him and the society. Death of a Salesman is undoubtedly a classic play. However, it is not that interesting, especially when compared to other Miller's play. The writing is slow and challenging to follow, the first act in particular. Secondly, it has no suspense since the title gives everything away. Despite the fact that the play is drama and not a mystery, uncertainty is a crucial element in any publication. Also, Willy Loman, the main character in Death of a Salesman is an open book (Bradford). The personality of the character is disclosed very early in the play where the book states that he is the low man on the totem pole and hence the name Loman. Moreover, within the first few minutes, the reader knows that Loman is suicidal and not a traveling salesman.
Further, the play draws Willy Loman as a tragic hero which in my opinion he does not qualify the title. Traditionally, tragic heroes for instance Hamlet and Oedipus were noble and heroic, unlike Loman. Arthur Miller uses Willy Loman character to bring out the fact that tragedy can be found in the lives of ordinary people. However, he neglects the fact that disaster works best when characters' choices have been taken away from them (Bradford). Loman has a lot of opportunities and options that he does not utilize and hence his failure. Instead of blaming Loman, Arthur Miller blames the Corporate America, where he claimed the corporates drains the life out of people. Ironically, Arthur Miller shows that the wealthy neighbors occasionally offered jobs to Willy Loman, but he casually declined the offer.
Additionally, the play has a spoiler. In the course of its progression, readers can anticipate the death of Willy Loman. In fact, before the end, it is evident that Loman is bent upon his self-destruction. No one is surprised that he decides to kill himself because of $20,000 insurance money (Bradford). Any dialogues in the play foreshadow his death. The writing is also not convincing in regards two Loman two brothers. From the play, the two brothers are in mid-thirties, but they still behave like young boys. Notably, the publication is set in the years after the world war two, which makes the reader wonder if the two brother fought in the war. If they did, then their character would be completely different.
Overall, it is apparent that a good number of people took offense from Steinbeck's reading, The Grapes of Wrath, probably because of misinterpretation and misunderstanding. It is funny that some critics referred him as a communist who was exaggerating fact about migrants. But as time has shown, all he articulated in his book was true and continues to affect the immigrants to date. For that reason, I believe the reading should be retained in the syllabus. On the other hand, Arthur Miller through his book Death of a Salesman failed to show how dysfunctional values of American society killed Willy Loman. Throughout the play, it is evident that senility and not dysfunctional American values caused Willy's death. Moreover, Loman showed Alzheimer's symptoms raising the question why his ever-attentive wife failed to notice his deteriorating mental conditions, and for those reasons, I believe the reading should be eliminated from the syllabus.
Works Cited
Bradford, Wade. "Is 'Death of a Salesman Overrated?" ThoughtCo, 5 Apr. 2008, www.thoughtco.com/critical-review-death-of-a-salesman-2713672.
Cape, Robin. The Grapes of Wrath and the Modern Sustainability Conversation. Diss. The University of North Carolina at Asheville, 2009.
ENotes. "Effects of "The Grapes of Wrath"." Angelfire: Welcome to Angelfire, 11 Aug. 2010, www.angelfire.com/nd2/englishap/TGOW_effects.html. Accessed 26 Apr. 2018.
