Art expressing an American Issue: Art for the Millions: American Culture and Politics in the 1930s and John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath

By Juliana

The Great Depression took place during the 1930s in America. This was a very dark time for the people in America. Many Americans lost their jobs because of this economic recession. Due to unemployment rates rising, they had no money for food or to provide for their family. Many hardships were going on throughout America during this time. Literature and the arts were cultural expressions that were impacted by the Great Depression. Literary works such as John Steinbeck's "The Grapes of Wrath" encapsulated the period's sufferings, and art helped depict these hardships through artistic pieces. 

During this time the Dust Bowl also occurred. This period of severe dust storms left agricultural devastation and economic hardships, especially for people who worked on farms. The people who lived and worked on these farms affected by the Dust Bowl had to leave and began to flee westward, like in "The Grapes of Wrath." The Joad family loses their farm due to the drought caused by the Dust Bowl. The Joad family migrates from Oklahoma to California. However, they encounter many challenges when migrating to California. As the Joads left their home in search of work, they were encountered with horrible working conditions as migrants. There were low wages and a lack of rights given to the migrant workers. This is where social injustice also came into play in the 1930s. 

Displayed in 2023, the Art for the Millions: American Culture and Politics in the 1930s at the Metropolitan Museum of Art exhibit shows various works that depict what was going on in America during this time. Works such as paintings, sculptures, drawings, photographs, and many more are displayed in this exhibit. When looking at these artworks, the viewers can look a little deeper into the history and understand what happened during this time but in a more creative way. Certain artworks at this exhibit connect to the story told in "The Grapes of Wrath." 

One piece from the exhibit that stood out to me was this photograph to the left. This photograph is by Dorothea Lange, and pictured is of a migrant family having car issues. Migrant families were forced to leave their homes and had very little money left. This photograph captures a raw moment of a family encountering an issue when there is an even bigger issue that they are facing in the world. When looking at this photograph, it reminded me of the part in "The Grapes of Wrath" when the Joads stop on the side of the road to help the Wilsons with their car trouble. The Joad family crosses paths with other families who have been displaced, creating a group of people who are fighting for their lives.

Another piece that caught my eye at the exhibit was this photograph to the right. This photograph is by Walker Evans. Evans would document the harsh existence of families who grew cotton in Alabama during the time of the Great Depression. The photo is of a father and daughter who are barefoot. It looks as if the dad has bruises on his feet, indicating his hard work. During this time it was hard to find work or continue working because of the economic state of the country. The father and daughter are at ease and it shows the beauty of the people during this hard time in America. 

"The Grapes of Wrath," offers a complex depiction of the social, economic, and cultural climate of the 1930s and is a literary monument to the hardships and resiliency of the American people. When looking at artwork that connects to the story, you can see the story in a new modern way.