The Use of Universal Archetypes in The Grapes of Wrath John Steinbeck sets his novel The Grapes of Wrath during the Depression of the 1930s. Universal archetypes play a significant role in Steinbeck's story. Steinbeck creates a cast of characters whose archetypes can easily be related. Mother Earth, heaven versus hell, and the evil figure with a fundamentally good heart are archetypes described in The Grapes of Wrath to show the good and bad times during a time of trouble. During a time of arduous and emotional times, the Earth Mother archetype can be identified in the Joad family. But Joad is the citadel of the family. She thinks and cares not about herself but about her family and people. Mother helped keep the family stable: “She seemed to know that if she faltered, the family would tremble” (96). Even in times when food was scarce, Ma saved what he could to help those who lacked it. Mother said, "´Look, boys, go and get yourself a flat stick and I'll put what's left in it'" (331). Mother Earth is characterized by her willingness and thoughtfulness to help and nourish her family and neighbors. Ma's daughter, Rose of Sharon, gradually transforms into an Earth Mother. Rose of Sharon finds herself worrying about her baby's well-being. She is constantly worried about whether she is getting enough nutrients from milk and food to give birth to a healthy baby. Rose of Sharon's final act of care shows how she accepts her role as Mother Earth. “He looked up across the barn and his lips came together and he smiled mysteriously” (589). With this smile Rose of Sharon understands the mystery of motherhood. Although he was unable to find... middle of paper... a sanctuary and a place of peace and beauty while the hells are gruesome and cruel. In Grapes of Wrath, Steinbeck incorporates Mother Earth, the evil figure with an ultimately good heart, and heaven versus hell as archetypes to describe the novel's characters and situations that the migrants experience on their journey through funny and lying times . Sharon's Ma and Rose characterized Mother Earth through their nurturing and caring for others. Not only the Joads, but also other migrants encountered the evil figure with an essentially good heart. The Port and Hell are both symbolic of the homes traversed by migrants and Joads. These are the archetypes described in The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck to create a story of real life experiences during the depression years '30..