The Powerful and Powerless in The Grapes of Wrath . This paper discusses the theme of the powerful and powerless in his book "The Grapes of Wrath". John Steinbeck was deeply concerned with the issue of the powerless and the powerful in American society in the 1930s. He saw tremendous misery in the context of the haves and the have-nots during the depression. It is clear that Steinbeck sees a certain struggle between what he sees as economic determinism and human freedom. He sees this as an effect of life under capitalism, and life in the human world in general. The rich get richer, and the poor get poorer. In this light, Steinbeck becomes very interested on how the poor form groups. Steinbeck appears to be telling us that it is in this manner that the poor will be able to be victorious against the forces of greed and profit. 7 pgs. 7 f/c. 3b. Pages: 7 Bibliography: 3 source(s) listed Filename: 1919 Grapes of Wrath.doc Price: 62.65