Grapes Of Wrath Essay, Research Paper

Adam Tanner

Mrs. Fruehstorfer

English

8 March, 2000

Unionization to Overcome Exploitation

Throughout the novel The Grapes of Wrath, John Steinbeck illustrates a vivid portrait of how migrant workers use unionization to overcome exploitation. One pauper can not challenge a monopolized company, especially one that has concern only for profit, however, when all of the impoverished workers establish order and rebel in unison, they can conquer and overpower this indignant system. As Steinbeck s novel portrays this reason for unionization, it also explains the advantages as well as the disadvantages of creating a union. In addition to this, it indicates that all unions require a strong, confident, and trustworthy leader. Throughout the novel, human lives are constantly being disrespected. Steinbeck shows that these disregarded migrants, however, will persist in being noticed by resorting to unionization to overcome constant exploitation.

Without uniting, individuals could never accomplish anything. For this reason, unionization is used to improve economic and social circumstances. A union represents its members in determining wages and working conditions. While unified, members can collectively bargain with the employer. However, if an agreement cannot be reached, the union can conduct a strike. In Steinbeck s novel, unions are desperately needed. Conditions in the Joad s previous home cause the family to move from place to place and job to job, and the huge influx of workers means that wages become consistently lower. The family needs to form an unionization to fight the system that enslaves them. For example, Casy explains to Tom Joad that individuals were being thrown into jail because of stealing. These individuals, however, stole merchandise that was needed, mostly they was there cause they stole stuff; an mostly it was stuff they needed an couldn get no other way (Steinbeck, 490). Although stealing is stealing, these individuals had no other way to obtain food. This is resulting from the vast converging of individuals, ones who cause the wages to increase, trying to find work. Furthermore, Casy explains the significance of group action, One fella started yellin , an nothin happened Then another fella yelled. Well, sir, then we all got yellin Then somepin happened! They come a-runnin , and they give us some other stuff (490). If one man complains, nothing is done about it. When a large group begins to protest, however, things are accomplished, which shows that majority can overwhelm anything. In brief, unions are used by groups of individuals who want conditions to improve.

Unfortunately unionization does create some disadvantages, however, the advantages do outweigh the disadvantages. Employers primarily attempt to avoid strikes. If nothing is being accomplished, the company will not make money. For instance, Tom Joad discusses what could happen if the workers refused to work, Well, s pose them people got together an says, Let em rot. Wouldn be long fore the price went up (317). This would be a major disadvantage for the company, and the workers may get what they want before conflict occurs. Furthermore, unionization requires a leader. This leader must not only be persuasive, in fact, he must be careful and intelligent also. A leader must be careful in order to avoid being caught by the employer, who sees him as an enemy, Has to be a leader, but the leader is thrown in jail (317). Although the union is only working in the best interest of the migrants, the blind heartless employers do not welcome it, so the leader of the unionization is quickly placed in prison. Finally, individuals are afraid to join unionization. When being seen in a protesting union, employers may kick out the spotted participants under any circumstances. Any individuals fearing unionization sometimes kick leaders out of camps, Some people don t want to union. Afraid of being seen in the leader s group (493). This shows the extreme conditions in which the vagrants, the ones who care too much about earning money for food, live. To sum up, the greatest disadvantages occur for primarily the leader of the union, so the advantages affect nearly everyone.

Unionization is affective in overcoming exploitation, however, some individuals believe that it may not make a significant difference overall. Casy depicts to Tom what an inmate explained to him in prison, for every step forward, she may slip back a little, but she never slips clear back (493). Although it may not appear that unionization has a purpose, it does have significance in the long run.