An Ecocritical Interpretation Of John Steinbeck's The Grapes Of Wrath

John Steinbeck (1902-1968), a great novelist in American literature, creates the classic novel The Grapes of Wrath. The novel has been translated into a variety of languages, and been read and studied wildly. The structure, characterization and the idea of literary creation are mainly focused on. However, a detailed ecocritical implication is rarely seen.This thesis attempts to study John Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath from the ecocritical perspective, and to explore the ecological consciousness of Steinbeck. First, the thesis gives a brief survey of the current study of The Grapes of Wrath, and then briefly introduces ecocriticism, environmental justice (the new development of ecocriticism), and ecofeminism. Next, the thesis through introduces the family background, life experiences and friends of Steinbeck to explore the sources of his ecological thought. Steinbeck's philosophical reflection on human and non-human world is unique in his times. Then, the thesis analyzes the crisis in the novel. It includes environmental crisis and spiritual one. Utilitarian attitude to nature causes the environmental crisis; environmental crises cause spiritual one, and vice versa. Through describing these crises, Steinbeck hopes to establish the harmony between man and nature and one man and another man. Moreover, this chapter discusses the importance of environmental justice. Everyone can enjoy environmental benefits, fresh air, clear water and healthy food.Finally, the thesis discusses the construction of the harmony between one man and another man, man and nature, so as to restore the harmony of the whole world. Meanwhile, John Steinbeck celebrates the connections between women and nature, taking nature as the source of happy life and spiritual power. Women draw power from land and nature. Steinbeck criticizes the technology, science and machinery that changed people's lifestyle and caused the coldness between one man and another man. He calls people to return to nature, to oppose anthropocentrism and establish harmony with the nature.Nowadays, with the deterioration of the environment, this research analyzes the relationship between man and nature, one man and another man. It has a profound meaning on attracting people's attention on environmental problems, and arousing ecological consciousness of protecting the nature.