The Grapes of Wrath by John SteinbeckWhat does it take to achieve the American dream? What kind of struggles do you need to overcome to achieve your goals in life? In the classic novel The Grapes of Wrath, written by John Steinbeck, you can follow the Joad family in pursuit of their dreams and the hardships they faced and overcame. The Joad family has faced numerous conflicts including; men, society, nature and himself, but he surpassed many to continue pushing them towards their dream; go to California and find a better life. The first and most obvious conflict that the Joad family faces at the beginning of the novel is the ongoing struggle with nature. The beginning of the novel is a description of the "Dust Bowl" and the families trying to work the land and make a living. The Joad family's home and land are taken away because they cannot grow any crops during the drought and are forced to abandon their home by the bank. That's when they decide to move west to California and find work and a better life there.