Navigating Power Structures: Symbolism, Realism, and Naturalism in The Grapes of Wrath through a Postcolonial Lens

Abstract

This paper explores the representation and negotiation of power systems in John Steinbeck’s famous book “The Grapes of Wrath” by using a postcolonial framework. This study seeks to identify the manner in which questions of power, oppression, and resistance are depicted in the book by analyzing its themes of symbolism, realism, and naturalism through the lens of postcolonial theory. This study examines the symbolic meaning of people, situations, and events connected to hegemonic systems and colonial legacies through rigorous textual analysis. Additionally, it explores how the novel’s naturalism and realism illuminate the historical, socio-economic and environmental surroundings, emphasizing the connection between systemic inequality and power dynamics. This study clarifies how colonial ideas sustain exploitation and disenfranchisement by examining the experiences of marginalized groups, including tenant farmers, migrant labourers, and indigenous communities. Finally, this study advances our knowledge of how literature can be a platform for opposing and criticizing established power systems. It provides insights into the resilience and resistance strategies used by marginalized people.