The Red Scare

Throughout the Grapes of Wrath, migrants moving from various states in the U.S. to California have notoriously been called "reds". According to a character in the novel, being called a red meant you were a barbaric migrant who wanted more money and luxuries from an employer, than the employer was willing to give. In addition to being looked down upon, migrants were hated and accused of being dangerous and communists. During this period in history,America seems to have had a strange obsession with Russia and communism. Therefore, with the sudden rumor of nomadic migrants spreading communism, authorities and citizens began to fear the migrants and begin a even deeper hatred which evoked: The Red Scare. For those who where migrants, life became even more difficult due to the unnecessary treatment from fellow Americans. Although the Red Scare did not last long and communism is not mentioned in the novel its self, I have began to wonder what would happen if this degree of hate was put upon the Joad family. Not only would the Joad family be Okies, but evil red communists (according to those who hated migrants). It's silly how easily the most powerful country in the world is so easily frightened. ~Sabrina Hernandez