The Use of Interchapters in The Grapes of Wrath John Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath is a short story about the Joad family's journey from 'Oklahoma to California. However, between many narrative chapters, Steinbeck inserts interchapters, which interrupt the flow of the narrative to provide the author's commentary. This technique is very effective because the interchapters create a picture of economic and social history that impacts the story. They provide a broad picture of what is happening to the mass of migrants traveling to California on Route 66. Without the interchapters, the reader would be given a limited view of what life was like for the migrants, and Stienbeck would not have been able to provide very effective commentary. Steinbeck uses some interchapters to set the tone and atmosphere of the novel and to describe the lives of migrants who had to travel along Route 66 in the 1930s. For example, Steinbeck writes chapter seven using the newsreel technique. By using small snatches of conversation and half-finished thoughts, Steinbeck is able to create an atmosphere of confusion and chaos. It creates a picture of how migrants were exploited and gives the reader an impression of the difficult times many migrants had to face. Furthermore, chapter five creates a clear picture of the devastation that the farmers faced and their hatred for the "monster" bank. This interchapter allows the reader to experience the passion that farmers have for the land and the choices they have had to make regarding the betrayal of their people. It presents the reader with a broad perspective of what is happening to sharecroppers before… middle of the paper… the same position and because they know they can depend on each other they realize the need for family and unity to overcome the difficult moments. Without the interchapters that provide Steinbeck's commentary on the topics, the novel would lack the social context that gives the reader insight into the lives of those affected by the Dust Bowl and would not allow the reader to feel pain for the migrants. The interchapters are very effective because they give the reader a clear picture of what is happening physically, mentally, and emotionally to the migrants as they travel to California. Without the interchapters, the reader would not be able to fully understand the hardships these people faced and Stienbeck would not have been able to provide his insightful commentary..