Steinbeck's the Grapes of Wrath (Cliffs Notes) [Paperback]

Kelly McGrath Vlcek (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 19, 2000 | Series: Cliffsnotes Literature Guides

The original CliffsNotes study guides offer a look into key elements and ideas within classic works of literature. The latest generation of titles in this series also features glossaries and visual elements that complement the familiar format.

CliffsNotes on The Grapes of Wrath explores John Steinbeck's Pulitzer Prize-winning --and controversial – novel, a work based on the what the author saw for himself as a reporter covering migrant worker camps.

Following the story of the Joad family as they travel from the Oklahoma Dust Bowl to California in search of farming opportunities and wealth, this study guide provides summaries and critical commentaries for each part within the novel.  Other features that help you figure out this important work include

• Personal background on the author, including career highlights
• Introduction to and synopsis of the book
• In-depth character analyses
• Critical essays to take you into the author's personal philosophy
• Review section that features interactive questions and suggested essay topics and practice projects
• Resource Center with books, films, and Web sites that can help round out your knowledge

Classic literature or modern-day treasure — you'll understand it all with expert information and insight from CliffsNotes study guides.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Steinbeck wrote this book to bring into the spotlight the plight of migrant workers. In The Grapes of Wrath a migrant family travels from the Oklahoma Dust Bowl to California only to be exploited by the agricultural system. The ferocity of resulting attacks on Steinbeck and his politics point to the truth and power of the stories told in this novel.

About the Author

Kelly McGrath Vlcek is completing her Masters degree in American Literature very close to Steinbeck country along the central coast of California. She is currently teaching junior high language arts and literature classes.

Product Details

• Paperback: 100 pages
• Publisher: Cliffs Notes; 1 edition (June 19, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764585967
• ISBN-13: 978-0764585968
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.3 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #73,111 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #12 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Literature & Fiction > Books & Reading > Reference
  • #28 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Literature & Fiction > World Literature > United States > History & Criticism
  • #34 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Reference > Education > Book Notes

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Nice Help, But Not Required, September 7, 2001

By 

A.Trendl HungarianBookstore.com "What should ... (Glen Ellyn, IL USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Steinbeck's the Grapes of Wrath (Cliffs Notes) (Paperback)

Some books are hard to follow. "The Grapes of Wrath" is long, but entrancing. Finishing it more a matter of time than struggle.

Granted, Steinbeck's description of the immense dust overtaking Oklahoma might seem overdone, but it sets the environment from which Tom Joad is leaving. It puts the grape fields in perspective.

Read "Cliff Notes" if you're in a jam, and need to get the gist of the real book in your system. However, if you have the time, read all 600+ pages of Steinbeck's magnificent story. Be engaged by Joad and his tender family as they plod across America and into dire and complex California grape fields.

I recommend Steinbeck's the Grapes of Wrath (Cliffs Notes) as an addition to the full book, not as a replacement.

Anthony Trendl

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Help is on the way!!, May 29, 2001

By 

Zachary D. Langer (Middlefield, Ohio United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Steinbeck's the Grapes of Wrath (Cliffs Notes) (Paperback)

Along with reading this very tedious but thrilling novel, Cliffs Notes help the experience greatly by offering insight and added understanding into The Grapes of Wrath. With a complete character list and Chapter reviews, the reading becomes even more exciting with Cliffs Notes at your side!! Cliffs also explains the confusing and foreshadowing intercalary chapters in full, vivid detail. Cliffs also gives the background of Steinbeck himself, so the reader knows the reasons for Steinbeck writing in the style that he does. I suggest to read the Cliffs Notes to gain FULL AND COMPLETE understanding of this famous and thrilling work of literature!

1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect. Unless you have alot of time., October 4, 2008

By 

J. Madden "The Chives" (Boca Raton, Florida) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Steinbeck's the Grapes of Wrath (Cliffs Notes) (Paperback)

The Cliffs Notes for The Grapes of Wrath is an extremely helpful little book when you have an obscenely short period of time to read Steinbeck's excessively long The Grapes of Wrath. I had about a week to read and write an essay on The Grapes of Wrath. I then managed to read the Cliffs Notes in a few hours. Luckily I still got 100% on my essay even though I never did read the real book.

Also, the Cliffs Notes are meant to assist you in reading, not for doing what I did, but I would recommend it for either.