Plays Tom Joad example essay topic

In 1940, John Steinbeck's controversial novel, The Grapes of Wrath, has been made into a film directed by John Ford. Ford's brilliant selection of actors accompanied by the superb script and cinematography skills illustrated the story and emotions of the migrants that were forced to abandon their lands due to the Dust Bowl and the Great Depression. The Grapes of Wrath portrays the tale of the Joad family's dispossession of their unfruitful land, and their struggle to survive a cross-country journey for the "promised land", California. Ford's emotional and artistic film is by far rated as the "best film of all years". Nunnally Johnson, the film's scriptwriter, did an intelligent job abridging the lengthy novel into a film able version.

Johnson clearly disordered the chronology to soften the novel's pessimistic message. In the film, the Joad family gradually came upon better housings as they traveled further north of California, "the land of plenty". They first lived a communal life in crowded tents, then in labor camps with wooden houses, and finally in democratic government camps. Having the Joad's journey end in the organized and sociable government camp foreshadows a blooming future for the Joads. The Joads also symbolize the whole migrant family that "will keep on going". Contrary, the novel's chronology is more wavering and discouraging.

After the Joads leave the Government camp, they travel further north into camps full of famine, despair and unemployment. In addition, Johnson also changed the shocking ending of Rose of Sharon, played by Dorris Bowdon, breast feeding a starving old man in a railroad car. The novel's ending sentimentally affirms the strength and human dignity of the migrants. Steinbeck reinforces the theme of the migrants changing from "I" to "We". The Joads no longer think for themselves but for the whole migrant community.

Also illustrating this theme, Johnson ends the film in a more optimistic manner. Tom Joad, played by Henry Fonda, realizes that he must leave the family so that he can be committed to struggling for social justice. He has come to believe in Casy's (John Carradine) thought on universal love and respect for all people. Despite the differences between the film and the novel, they both picture the altruistic Joad family and their determination to search for a new home.

As thematically rich as The Grapes of Wrath is, it would be a dry and uninteresting film if the characters and their situations were less compelling. Contradicting to the gloomy atmosphere of the Dust bowl, the casts' performances were anything but depressing. Each cast member had his or her own contribution to this impulsive and thought provoking film. Jane Darwell, who plays Ma Joad, is marvelous as the strong center and backbone of the Joad family that must leave their ancestral land. Ma Joad is the moral center of the Joad family and her optimistic faith will uphold the family despite the hardships they have endured and the inequalities they have suffered. With a decisive attitude Ma knows that the migrants are the "people that live".

Yet Darwell's most memorable spectacle is an additional scene to Steinbeck's novel. Before the Joads take off to California, Ma looks through her possession box wordlessly and burns all her letters and souvenirs. Accompanied by tremendous visual power and passion, Darwell holds up two earrings to her ears and looks at her own reflection melancholy, thinking back to the lost past. In this scene, Darwell completely illustrates Ma's strength and courage for giving up her past to start a new life.

Along with Darwell's outstanding performance Henry Fonda's act was also no doubt remarkable. Fonda, who plays Tom Joad, is perfect as an distressed "Okie" that refuses to be beaten and crushed by misfortune. Tom is a hot-tempered ex-convict who returns on parole just in time to join his family on their job hunting voyage to California. Fonda strongly portrayed Tom's bravery especially in the ending scene of the movie where Tom decides to leave the family to fight for the migrants's o cial justice. Fonda's tearful but assured eyes truly convinced the audience as he said some of Tom's most memorable lines: "I've been thinkin' about our people livin' like pigs and good rich land layin'... maybe I can do somethin'". The audience is persuaded that Tom is striving to fight for the migrant family, to fight for equality.

The mesmerizing acting of the Henry Fonda and Jane Darwell along with the other cast members enriches the audience's understanding of the migrant families struggle to survive. Besides the superb cast, the cinematography by Gregg Toland, makes The Grapes of Wrath visually appealing. Steinbeck would have favored the movie's cinematography as it has forceful visual powers that illustrate the themes and symbols of his novel. The sorrow and catastrophe that surrounded the migrant community further charmed the audience. In a flashback, which is greatly effective at pulling the audience's response, Muley Graves (John Quale n) and family helplessly watch their destroyed house by a tractor. The camera is in deep focus of their scrawny faces, and then slowly moves to the motionless afternoon shadows.

Complemented by melancholy music, the family are no longer people anymore, but migrants looking for food and shelter- they are the "O kies". The farmers are easily taken advantage of by the injustices of society. To furthermore show how the impact of Great Depression affected the families of that time, the film was taped in black and white style. This helped create a strong feeling of poverty and realism to the audience.

The setting of the novel was very realistic with frequent scenes of the barren land, dark skies, dusty winds, and crowded shelters. What's more is that the appearance of the family's clothing, possessions, and their car added to the effect that Steinbeck created when his wrote his novel. The clothing of the migrant community was simple, soiled, and ragged, contrary to the clean cut suits of the rich Californian business people. The portrayal of the Joads car is the most significant as it clearly symbolizes the family. Like the truck that is over weighed, rusty, and breaking apart, the Joad family is also burdened with their desperate search for jobs. Facing adversity, the Joads are having difficulty maintaining their family as Grandpa (Charley Grape win) and Grandma (Z effie Tilbury) die.

Hence the cinematography has intensified many themes of Steinbeck's novel by bring the words into life. "The film is definitely the best film I have acted in". Expressed Henry Fonda", Tom Joad is a hero for making the decision to fight for equality. John Ford is a great director and Nunnally Johnson's script was truly striking."Ma Joad is definitely a powerful character". Stated Jane Darwell", She the matriarch of the Joad family. I never realized how severe the Great Depression was and this film has indeed made an impact on my life."I'd like to thank Nunnally Johnson's and Gregg Toland's input into this film.

They have definitely made Steinbeck's novel come to life". Said director John Ford. Steinbeck would be please to hear that the messages in his novel, The Grapes of Wrath, have been convincingly produced onscreen as a viewer says: " this film definitely gave me a great perspective of the Great Depression. John Ford and the cast have done a remarkable job. Everyone should go and watch it.".