Compare and Contrast Essay on 'The Grape of Wrath' and 'Poor People'

Introduction

In Steinbeck's book 'The Grapes of Wrath and William's 'Poor People,' the two authors are discussing the bad state in which America was in terms of governance. The two authors mainly talk about the poverty rate in America during that time, equality, death due to the poverty rate. Williams in his book he illustrates to us on how the poverty rate in the united states of America in 2006 was at 20,000 dollars annually for a household of four whereas others individuals 9,800 dollars in a year.

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He also explained that some people could also live with an estimated amount of 9,800 dollars annually and survive as other citizens. With this amount some could not even settle their medical bills or afford some items that were essential in their life, through all these troubles of life Williams elaborates in his book that many people will in term be beggars since they cannot afford many basic needs, but he advises us to treat them equally as educated by Ivy.

In 'The Grapes of Wrath' the author talks about the depression which Tom Joad experiences after being released from prison. Tom after being released from jail he meets his anterior preacher named Jim and they embark on a journey to California hoping that they will find an improved life in this place. The trip to California is a dangerous one, and Toms family faces death, poverty, and hot temperatures while traveling to the west of America and on arriving they get disappointed finding that life is still difficult. Connecting these two authors their books have a common idea on bad governance leading to the miserable life of the citizens of the united states.

Poverty as a Common Theme

The poverty rate in the united states as a common theme in the two books 'The Grapes of Wrath' and 'Poor People.' In Steinbeck's book, he states the suffering that Joad's family experienced on their way to California escaping through the ups and downs on their way coming to find out the life they expected in California was not the life they are seeing. His family migrated from Oklahoma to California after an owner of an industry dealing farm products evacuated them form their land and plants cotton. This was their chosen destination since they had rumors that California was the best place for migrant families.

The workers in California were paid low incomes after hard work making them survive in whatever little they acquire. This drove away from their working moral since even their employees never respected them. After seeing all this happening in California, the family of Joad had no option but to remain resourceful and persistent. The other author William in his book describes in his book the poverty line in united states for 2006 (Vollmann, 25) being at an unfortunate state where individuals had to live on an income of 9,800 dollars annually whereas some people were living a better life in the presence of others suffering.

He further explains further in his book that although this is a problem in the united states, the other countries in the globe are also experiencing the same catastrophe making it a universal problem "global poverty." About the two books poverty was an incidence affecting the American people because of the kind of leaders they had but through the changes that have happened the country has evolved and the country is one of the developed countries in the world with a low poverty ratio. By this, even citizens from other nations want to travel to America in search of better living.

Suffering Illustrated by the Authors

Suffering is another issue affecting the American people as illustrated by the two authors. John Steinbeck in his book tells us how Joad's family went through a lot of incidences as they traveled to California to seek refuge, they were even told that the California people hate migrants by a man at a stoppage (Pillen, 9) besides Colorado river. Their grandmother was also dead, but they could not give her a proper burial, but they decide to live it to the local coroner. This theme is also illustrated where Tom Joad comes home and finds his family evacuated from their land by an owner of the industry dealing with cotton products living them landless and homeless. They were not even relocated to any place but left without nowhere to go to.

This was a terrible moment for the Joad's. In Williams book on the' Poor People' the author describes how the poor in united states were beggars since their wages were too little to sustain them throughout the year and they had to live with a salary of $20,000 amongst four people meaning every individual had to survive with $5000 annually which was too little with the kind of life standards in America, they had to forgo some things so that this money could run them throughout the year and even some are homeless. Both authors explain the suffering and challenging moments that some individuals undergo in the country through the writings in their books.

Thirdly, the theme of death is shared between the two authors in their books. In The Grapes of Wrath, Jim is killed by a guard and since he was the leader of the striking group was expressing their grievance on their wage cut and that it could be cut again if no action was taken. This incidence made Tom attack the guard and kill him then escapes to hid himself in the family's cabin never to be seen even at work. After healing and the police have lost interest in searching for him, his family sneaks with him in a boxcar. In the other authors, book death comes about where individuals in the American nation starve due to the bad economic state leading to the end of these citizens.

Some of the Traits in Both of the Books

Hardworking; in both the author brings out the character of diligent since Jim and his family have to strive to acquire some cash for their upkeep. They earn by picking peaches where they find some money to sustain them although the food is expensive, this is seen in John's book whereas in William's book individuals strive to acquire $20,000 annually to use it with a family of four.

Revenge; in the book 'The Grapes of Wrath' character trait is described where Tom kills a guard for murdering is a friend without committing any crime while in the other book by William, he explains that the poor do not respect the rich as they do not respect them to since they oppress them.

Caring; the two books the authors illustrate how the families in these books take care of each other in every scenario.

Conclusion

According to the books, the two authors inform us on how some of the government that we put in power to govern us leading us into the poor state as a nation full of poverty, death, oppression by the people in power, a weak economy, and suffering. All this cannot be solved if we do not change the leaders in energy and elect other leaders who can solve the several issues that are affecting our great nations. The united states have been done this by choosing some of the greatest leaders like the former president Barrack Obama who transformed the American nation in many ways through the different sectors such as education, health, and even security. For instance, he began an initiative known as Obama health care which aided the American citizens. Hence when the two authors wrote this books, they are trying to advise our leaders on the importance of governing their citizens by focusing on how the country can prosper so that his fellow country people can live in a country full good deeds. In the books, we see how different characters suffer from the oppression of the wealthy people who are known to be owning the land through eviction from their homes rendering them homeless. Therefore, I oppose the terrible acts done to the citizens by the people in power. The killings that occur in a nation should be stopped so that everyone to live in peace and harmony, even the United Nations through its charter elaborates vividly on the right of every person in this world.

Work Cited

Pillen, Cory. "Picturing Migrants: The Grapes of Wrath and New Deal Documentary Photography by James R. Swensen." Journal of Southern History 82.4 (2016): 968-969.

Vollmann, William T. Poor people. Harper Collins, 2010.

Hemmingson, Michael. William T. Vollmann: A Critical Study and Seven Interviews. McFarland, 2014.