Question

Prepare a historical analysis of The Grapes of Wrath, identifying and discussing the contemporary problems of the Depression and Dust Bowl, as well as New Deal solutions, as they emerge in the book.

Describe the novel’s public and critical reception, considering the historical context in which Steinbeck wrote.

Discuss what elements you think caused it to be highly praised and what elements you think caused it to be banned in some communities, given, as Robert DeMott states in the introduction to The Grapes of Wrath, that “few American novels have attracted such passionate attacks and equally passionate defenses.”

Answer 1

A wicked problem is a social or cultural issue or concern. It has no structure or solution. The level of complexity is such that the solution is seemingly difficult to get to. Too many options, layers and elements may be encompassed. Political, legal structure, cultural and other kinds of baggage may be involved. Many possibilities may exist which makes it difficult to be solved. One of the examples could be poverty in terms of the fact that there is no one possible reason or cause attributed to the same. People or researchers may argue that it is due to infrastructure, education, government attitude, policies, functioning at national/structural level, etc. but no one cause can pin pointed at per se. Another example could be terrorism or war. No significant answer exists to this question as well since many answers or possibilities could have a role to play. Many solutions exist as well.

One of the wicked problems that I encountered was during the undergrad course wherein a file was misplaced in the last days before examination. Despite having clarity in my mind regarding the possible suspect, no evidence made it hard to pin point. The concerned person also made nasty remarks regarding the incident, worseing the situation. Marks and grades were also at stake which is a huge deal in University. Moreover, the pressure of academic work and self study allowed no time to re-make the file and do all the experiments all over again. It could have been dealt differently at the time by handling it more maturely and exploring in a displomatic and discreet way to find out if she really was responsible for the incident.