ABSTRACT:The famous novel The Grapes of Wrath which is written by John Steinbeck was published in the 30s of the 20th century. This novel describes the tragic fate of the American farmers and the demise and depression of the American agriculture and rural areas during The Great Depression. This thesis, based on the detailed analysis of The Grapes of Wrath, analyzes and the advantages and disadvantages the capitalist development has brought to agriculture, farmers and rural areas of the United States in the 1930s.

Keywords: John Steinbeck; The Grapes of Wrath; agriculture; rural areas; farmers

CONTENTS

ABSTRACT

中文摘要

Chapter One INTRODUCTION-1

1.1 The Introduction of The Grapes of Wrath-1

1.2 The Introduction of the Background of That Time-2

1.3 The Framework of the Thesis-2

Chapter Two LITERATURE REVIEW-3

Chapter Three AGRICULTURE ISSUE IN THE GRAPES OF WRATH-5

3.1 The Disadvantages Capitalist Development Has Brought to Agriculture-5

3.2 The Advantages Capitalist Development Has Brought to Agriculture-6

Chapter Four FARMER ISSUE IN THE GRAPES OF WRATH-9

4.1 Loss of Lands-9

4.2 Loss of Jobs-10

4.3 Loss of Inner Peace-10

Chapter Five RURAL AREAS ISSUE IN THE GRAPES OF WRATH-13

5.1 The Declining of Traditional Rural Areas-13

5.2 The Rise of Industrial Rural Areas-13

Chapter Six CONCLUSION-15

WORKS CITED-16