The Grapes of Wrath combines Steinbeck’s idolization of the land, dislike for corporeality and belief that people can survive the malicious influence of their atmosphere. These substantial concepts are woven into the book by the use of inter chapters, the telling of the Joads story and the use of symbols. A symbol is defined as an object, imagine, character or figure used to represent abstract ideas or conceptions. Significant symbols used throughout the novel …showed first 75 words of 1008 total…

…showed last 75 words of 1008 total…surroundings. Though the book tells of the restrictions and hardships that the Joads arduously endure, these symbols characterize the times. Their aggregation allows for the book to be read on a deeper level, as man fights against his rancorous circumstances. All the symbols form a distinct representation of the surroundings, manipulation and consciences of the migrants as they go along their pilgrimage to the west, and through this burdensome and fatiguing fragment of their lives.