Compare and Contrast the Novel and Film Versions of The Grapes of WrathJohn Steinbeck wrote The Grapes of Wrath in 1939 to incite his readers against those who were responsible for keeping the American People in poverty. The Grapes of Wrath tells the story of the Joad family, migrant farmers from Oklahoma traveling to California in search of an illusion of prosperity. The novel's strong stance sparked much controversy, as it was often called communist propaganda and banned from schools due to its vulgar language. However, Steinbeck's novel is considered his greatest work. It won the Pulitzer Prize and later became an Oscar-winning film in 1940. The novel and the film are both considered marvelous masterpieces, embodying the art of filmmaking and novel writing. Although both the novel and film forms of Steinbeck's Grapes of Wrath is considered an American classic, the novel provides a deeper understanding of the time and meaning of the story. Absent from the film, the novel's interchapters provide greater insight into the period in which The Grapes of Wrath is set. First of all, it is unclear in the film why the Joads are forced to abandon their farm. It is described very briefly by Muley Graves, leaving the audience in a state of confusion. However, in the novel, chapter 5 explains exactly why the farmers are forced to leave. In this interchapter Steinbeck uses a dialogue between a farmer and a bank representative; the farmer is forced to leave because the bank, or the "Monster" as Steinbeck puts it, needs to make a profit, and if the farmer cannot produce goods to repay the debts, the bank seizes the land. This happened to many farmers in the 1930s due to a... medium of paper......h provides a more sensational experience than film. The novel gives the reader a complete feel of the time period. It describes in every detail the situation of the Joads, as well as other peasant families forced to take refuge from their homeland. Instead, the film leaves the reader wondering what exactly is happening in America in the 1930s. The novel captivates the reader with its beautiful descriptions of the setting and its profound symbolism. On the other hand, the film is bare, devoid of symbolism and color. The film focuses solely on the plot, depriving the audience of Steinbeck's incredible writing skills. Despite the fact that both the film and the novel of Steinbeck's Grapes of Wrath are seen as American classics, the film is almost unbearable when compared to the wonderful masterpiece in novel form of Grapes of Wrath..