The Grapes of Wrath. DVD. Directed by John Ford. Twentieth Century Fox Films. 1940. A cinematic version of Steinbeck novel,
The Grapes of Wrath,
this movie trails the lives of the Joad’s as they travel West to find work. Although there are some differences from Steinbeck’s version, the film does show the struggles Steinbeck portrayed in his novel.
Hughes, Langston. “Let America be America Again”. Poets.org. http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/15609
In this poem, Hughes sets out to describe the adversities and negatives that have come out of America. Yet, the poem gives hopes to the possibilities of what American could be based on the ideals set out in America’s beginnings.
Paine, Thomas.
The Rights of Man.
(1995): 169-293. In this essay, Paine refutes the old world European politics and describes America’s intentions of creating a democracy. This essay describes the importance of a man’s individual rights and the necessity of civil rights to ensure freedom from tyranny.
Tocqueville, de Alexis.
Democracy in America
. (2000): 3-166. When Tocqueville visited the United States, his initial intention was to just study the American penitentiary system. However, he became intrigued by American democracy and wrote a book on its promising future.
Steinbeck, John.
The Grapes of Wrath
. (2002). This novel follows the lives of the Joad family as they are evicted from they land worked and decide to move West. Throughout their journey they and other migrant workers are subjected to the hardships of poverty and social injustices of those better off than they are. However, the Joad’s continue through their struggles with hopes that eventually their conditions will improve.
Walker, Evans, James Agee.
Let us now praise famous men.
(2000). This book is divided into photos of Alabama sharecroppers along with stories three families during the 1930’s. The photos are at the beginning of the text and help have a visual of the families. The stories of the family give insight into the struggle these farmers lived through.