Performance Theme the Grapes of Wrath, John

Performance Theme

The Grapes of Wrath, John Steinbeck's epic and often brutal novel about the plight of rural farmland America in the time of the Great Depression provided an excellent example to investigate the relationship between the separate artistic mediums of novel and film. The purpose of this essay is to highlight how the relationship between a book and film may actually produce a mutually beneficial legacy upon each other. I will demonstrate how this magnificent film's success, coupled with the book's success, has given both American film and literature a collective boost.

John Steinbeck's is considered by many to be the greatest American author of the 20th century. His known intent of whether or not his story would be adapted for performance is not quite clear, but we should assume that under these circumstances, Steinbeck knew of a possibility that this story could be transcribed into a film, play or other mode of transcription. The original book was published in 1939, and in a rather rapid transaction, the movie was produced less than two years later. The elegant novel won a Pulitzer Prize in the year 1940 and the Nobel Prize for literature in 1962, years after the Academy award was awarded to the film for the 1948 Oscars awards ceremony. Is it not a matter of importance, therefore, if his work was intended for performance, as the story was immediately sold after its publication. Steinbeck's purpose of The Grapes of Wrath was to provide understanding and awareness of the journey of America's poor. Having his story reach out to new audiences seemed appropriate and likely behavior from such an author.

The Grapes of Wrath was written in and around the time of the story taking place, making the experiences and people and places within the story relevant and seemingly immediately important for the audience of both mediums of entertainment. The film being produced only one year after the book's publishing represents a snapshot in history for this era. In this case we see an immediate transcription between literature and film performance played out in a historical and significant story in this movie. Roger Ebert, a prominent American film critic, noted this film's social and historical importance with its introduction of Tom Joad as being one of the great American movie characters. Modern criticism reflecting positive influence resonates the impact of Steinbeck's masterpiece and it's usefulness as an art form.

The tone of this story was sorrowful and yet inspiring describing the struggle and strife of the Joad family. Crime, punishment, starvation, compassion, family and faith supply the thematic overtones in Steinbeck's story. Premature death by the old and young captured eloquently in words, and intensely on film, set the descriptive mood of these times for these rural people. Some, however, believe that the book has overshadowed the film's artistic worth. Sobchack presented a rare case of artistic ignorance in the case of the thematic style of John Ford's film (596). She claimed that the styles John Ford used in this production, are overshadowed by the societal importance the message ultimately has portrayed.

Is important to highlight certain discrepancies between the book and film to showcase how the transfer between these two mediums may run into some disagreement. Owens defended Steinbeck from criticism that he over sentimentalized his characters to gain favor with popular crowds. The film supports this criticism as Henry Fonda, who portrays Tom Joad, acted with a great down and out folksy charm indicating a sentimental attitude. The entire movie itself could be interpreted as sentimental as well, is heart wrenching scene after heart wrenching scene involving children and their struggles to survive are played out in this tale. Other parts of Steinbeck story were edited out of the movie that perhaps were too risky for mainstream movie audiences to behold. These scenes included the exclusion of the more dramatic ending of the book, which opposed the more optimistic movie ending's incomplete tale. The movie version therefore diminished certain criticisms and potential artistic impressions upon the audiences.

Despite the differences between both the movie and novel, the essence and heart of the story is successfully delivered in both mediums in my opinion. The Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Steinbeck in 1962 some years after the film had reached a level of critical success as well. The ability to build upon each other's success demonstrated the continuation of artistic vision between the written word and the acted word. Steinbeck was undoubtedly proud of both works even if the entirety of his masterpiece was not told in a Hollywood style.

John Ford the masterful director of the film, won the coveted Academy Award for his directing skills for this movie demonstrating the power and usefulness of Steinbeck's critical novel of early 20th-century America. Ford had directed many other movies with critical acclaim and continued to have success after this movie was produced. His visual adaptation of the story provided the reader an active imagination with enough background to give a sense of authenticity to the performance.