Essay Exam Topics

AP Language and Comp

Grapes of Wrath Essay Exam Topics

Argumentative Questions:

1.     Compare the treatment of the migrant “Okies” in the novel to the treatment of modern immigrant workers. What can modern readers learn from the similarities and the differences of these situations?

2.     Defend, Qualify, or Challenge Rick Santorum’s claim that “You can’t have limited government — you can’t have a wealthy society if the family breaks down, that basic unit of society. And that needs to be included in this economic discussion.” For more context, go to:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/right-turn/post/santorum-connects-the-family-and-the-economy/2011/03/29/gIQAJcquhL_blog.html

3.     Defend, qualify, or challenge the claim that The Grapes of Wrath is anti-religious.

4.     Defend, qualify, or challenge the claim that The Grapes of Wrath is a patriotic novel.

5.     Defend, qualify, or challenge the claim that The Grapes of Wrath is a pessimistic novel.

6.     Defend, challenge, or qualify the claim that Casy becomes a “better” man after he renounces his faith. Be certain to define what “better” means.

7.     Defend, qualify, or challenge the claim that each of the following is Steinbeck’s purpose in The Grapes of Wrath: 1) We distance ourselves from the evils we do; 2) We are easily corrupted (controlled) by money; 3) We are easily persuaded by a higher power; 4) Capitalism wields too much power; 5) Just because you have faith doesn’t make you a good person; just because you don’t have faith doesn’t make you a bad person.

8.     In the novel, Steinbeck argues that being connected to the land makes people bigger while being disconnected from nature makes them smaller. How does he define big and small? How do these definitions connect to the other arguments in the novel?

Rhetorical Analysis Questions:

1.     Steinbeck did not merely want his readers to be moved by his novel, he wanted them moved to act. What actions does Steinbeck argue for? Be sure to keep your answer to this question rooted in the text.

2.     Consider how Steinbeck’s writing style is a reaction to, rejection of, or embracement of each of the following styles of American Literature: The Age of Faith, The Age of Reason, Romanticism, Gothic Literature, Transcendentalism, Realism, and Naturalism.

3.     Be prepared to write a rhetorical analysis of one of the interchapters. This will require you to identify the purpose of the given chapter and three rhetorical strategies Steinbeck employs to achieve his purpose.

4.     Consider Steinbeck’s thoughts about government in Chapter 17. How do his arguments in this chapter connect to his thoughts about society in other areas of the book?

5.     How does Steinbeck use the structure of the novel to advance his arguments?

6.     Consider the role of nature in the novel. Think both about the connections (or lack thereof) between people and land and the role of weather in the novel. Are his attitudes towards nature consistent? Inconsistent? Contradictory? How do they fit into his arguments about man and God?

7.     Explore the idea that Chapter 1 and Chapter 29 tell the entire story through symbolism.