Dust storms. Depression. Drought. These conditions dominated the U.S. in the 1920s and caused multitudes of farmers in the Middle West to move and become migrant workers. Many of them journeyed west in hopes of economic opportunities. Their arduous journey usually ended in California, but California was not the land of hope that the migrant workers wished for. In The Harvest Gypsies and The Grapes of Wrath, John Steinbeck analyzes the conditions of the migrant workers as they attempt to settle in California. Both mediums serves the purpose of describing the conditions of the migrant workers; however, the Grapes of Wrath is substantially better at conveying the truth, which can be defined as the full experience, of the situation. In both mediums, Steinbeck discusses the exploitation of the migrant workers. In the Harvest Gypsies, he explains the exploitation in an example story: "The new arrival at the ranch will probably be without funds... But on many of the great ranches he will find a store run by the management at which he can get credit. Thus he must work a second day to pay for his first, and so on. He must work" (The Harvest Gypsies, 3). Steinbeck bluntly explains the events in the big farms that results in the exploitation of the migrant workers: the penniless family comes to a farm for work, …show more content…
In The Harvest Gypsies, Steinbeck explains the use of vigilantism to eradicate the migrant workers who were attempting to strike or cause revolts. The presentation of vigilantism in The Harvest Gypsies is simply explained as a "repressive method." While entirely accurate, the words "repressive method" does little to explain the truth of what occurred. In The Grapes of Wrath, vigilantism is shown by the actions of the farmers. The terror it causes, such as when the Hooverville was burned down and the police's raid on Casey, is much more effective at displaying the truth of