The artist, Thomas Hart Benton, was commissioned by 20th Century Fox to create this painting, The Departure of the Joads to promote their 1940 film based on our book. He would also create a series of lithographs for a special limited edition of the novel.
The Grapes of Wrath is not just a great book. It is a compelling story that has been retold many times in many ways. As we can see there is the artwork. There is the Academy Award winning movie by John Ford. (See A.O. Scott's recent NY Times review of this classic film.) There is a Grapes of Wrath play and also a Grapes of Wrath opera. The story has inspired musicians like Woody Guthrie and Bruce Springsteen, to name a few. There is even a Grapes of Wrath rap song.
And now we have a Grapes of Wrath tweet.
Yes, the whole novel reduced to just 140 characters, but WARNING to first time readers: This message reveals details of the plot that you may not want to know until you have read about it in the book.
I hope the Grapes of Wrath will get you thinking, too.
Starting on Monday, July 6th, we will be posting daily Monday through Friday updates to this blog throughout the summer. My guest authors and I will be offering you our thoughts and opinions of the book as well as supplying some background and cultural and historic context.
Come along and read this book with us.
Comments