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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 the claim that The Grapes of Wrath is anti-religious.

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

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

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

6.     How would Steinbeck define justice? Point to three examples of justice or injustice (consider the author’s rewards and punishments) to support your answer. Does his definition agree with or contradict with yours?

7.     In this novel, “bad things happen to good people.” According to Steinbeck, what, specifically, causes bad things to happen to good people? What can good people do about it?

8.     Defend, qualify, or challenge the claim that one of the following is the purpose of Steinbeck’s novel:

a.     Steinbeck argues that blind faith is foolish.

b.     Steinbeck wants to prove that the worst of life’s slings and arrows brings out the best in men’s hearts.

c.     Steinbeck wanted readers to understand that change is inevitable and we should follow its path rather than reject its outcome.

d.     Steinbeck’s purpose is to emphasize the importance of family and show we should stick together and never leave our family behind.

e.     Steinbeck’s main purpose in The Grapes of Wrath is to show readers that the American spirit can lead people to better lives in the worst of times.