Eco-feministic Interpretation of The Grapes of Wrath

Abstract

The Grapes of Wrath is the most influential work of American writer John Steinbeck, who is one of the most celebrated American writers in the 20th Century. The Grapes of Wrath，which is called “the epic of American farmers”, depicts the story that a large number of farmers who lose their jobs and flee in the 1930s Great Depression, and describes the course of their wandering from Oklahoma to California. This thesis, taking eco-feminism as the starting point, thoroughly interprets the literary masterpiece of The Grapes of Wrath.

This thesis consists of five parts. The first part gives a brief introduction to the life of John Steinbeck and the main plot of The Grapes of Wrath. The second part briefly introduces the connotation of eco-feminism, the development and the main points of the view of eco-feminism. The third part analyses the concrete embodiment of eco-feminism in The Grapes of Wrath. The fourth part analyses two main female characters Ma Joad and Rose of Sharon from the perspective of eco-feminism. And the last part discusses the social significance of The Grapes of Wrath and its enlightenment to modern society.

This thesis, from the perspective of eco-feminism, explores the relationships between men and nature, women and nature, and meticulously analyses the distinctive features of the two female characters in the book and the intention of the author to depict the characters. It expresses the profound critique of patriarchy and anthropocentrism of the author of this novel, and shows his heartfelt concern for women and nature.

Key words: Eco-feminism; The Grapes of Wrath; John Steinbeck