CURRENT RESEARCH JOURNAL OF PHILOLOGICAL SCIENCES (ISSN: 2767-3758)
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15
VOLUME:
Vol.06 Issue04 2025
10.37547/philological-crjps-06-04-04
RESEARCH ARTICLE
The Depiction of The Main Factors of Economic and
Sociological Migration in
John Steinbeck’s Novel “Grapes
of
The Wrath” And Abdulla Kahhor’s Work “Fairy Tales
from
The Past”
Bobojonova Shahlo Hakimovna
1st year master's student, Faculty of "Foreign Language Literature", University of Economics and Pedagogy , Uzbekistan
Received:
12 February 2025
Accepted:
13 March 2025
Published:
09 April 2025
INTRODUCTION
Migration is one of the most complex and urgent processes
in human history. Indeed, throughout all periods, the
process of migration from one place to another place has
taken for various reasons. This movement has led to
significant changes in people’s lives and has brought about
its own set of difficulties. Migration has consistently been
one of the most pressing and important topics across all
eras. Numerous writers in world literature have addressed
this theme, exploring its diverse causes and complexities
through their works. The reasons people move in search of
a new life or flee from existing conditions are often linked
to economic and social factors. These causes are also
widely explored by various authors in world literature.
These works examine the social, economic, and
psychological effects of migration.
World literature works on the theme of migration.
There are some notable writers and their works on the
subject. Gabriel Ggarcia Marquez highlights that
immigration and its cultural and personal consequences are
connected to the narrative in “One Hundred Years of
Solitude”. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie depicts the
challenges and personal growth of a protagonist, that is to
say, a leading character who migrates from Nigeria to the
United States by his novel “Americanah”. The novel “The
Namesake” explores the experiences of Indian immigrants
and the struggles of finding one’s identity in a new culture.
This literary work was written by Jhumpa Lahiri as his first
novel in 2003. He was inspired by her own experiences as
the child of Indian immigrants grown up in America. In
accordance with this, Isabel Allende , Khaled Husseini ,
Viet Thanh Nguyen , W.G.Sebald , Salman Rushdie , John
Steinbeck , Elif Shafak provide profound insights into the
multifaceted experiences of migrants, reflecting on themes
ABSTRACT
This article analyzes the causes of migration through a comparative study of John Steinbeck’s “The Grapes of Wrath” and Abdulla
Kahhor’s “Fairy Tales from the Past” (“Utmishdan ertaklar”) . The main focus is on economic and social factors that push people
to migrate. By employing the comparative-analytical method, the article examines how both authors depict the struggles of
ordinary people against economic hardship, and social injustice. The analysis highlights the key themes in these works and links
them to relevant scholarly studies. Personal insights are also offered regarding how these causes of migration are still rele vant in
the modern world.
Keywords:
Migration, economic and social factors, comparative-analytical method, ordinary people, economic hardship, social injustice, personal insights, causes
of migration, modern world.
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like identity, loss, adaptation, and resilience.
The interpretation of the theme of migration in works
of Uzbek literature.
Moreover, in Uzbek literature a significant number of
writers have contributed to the exploration of migration
through their literary works, addressing its various aspects
and
implications.
Abdulla
Kahhor’s
“Saralash”
(‘Selection”),
“Kushchinor
chiroklari”(“Lights
of
Kushchinor”). They illustrate migration from villages to
cities during the Soviet era, and the struggles of adapting
to urban life, focusing cultural and social differences
between rural and urban environments. Abdulla Kodiriy’s
works are “Utkan kunlar” (“Days by Gone”), “Mehrobdan
chayon”(“Scorpion from the Alter”) and they describe
social and personal changes due to forced or voluntary
migration in the context of historical events, emphasizing
the emotional and societal impact of moving to new places.
Sharaf Rashidov , Said Ahmad , Erkin A’zam and similar
writers have created beautiful works on migration as well.
These authors have deeply explored the emotional, social
and cultural impacts on migrations in their stories. Their
works have resonated with global audience, leading to
translations into different languages, allowing the themes
of displacement and adaptation to reach readers beyond
Uzbekistan.
The theme of migration has continuously attracted the
attention of writers throughout diverse eras and has been
depicted in various forms. In this article, the most crucial
aspects of migration, namely its social and economic
characteristics, are analyzed using a comparative-
analytical method. This method helps to reveal the causes
of migration depicted in the works of John Steinbeck’s
“The Grapes of Wrath” and Abdulla Kahhor’s “Utmishdan
ertaklar” (Fairy Tales from the Past) and linking them to
relevant scholarly studies. Their literary works provide
deep insights into the reasons for migration in their periods.
Social and economical reasons of migration in John
Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath.
In Steinbeck’s “The Grapes of Wrath”, the Great
Depression and the Dust Bowl of the 1930s forced tenant
farmers in the Midwest to migrate westward. Landowners
and banks implemented mechanization, displacing small-
scale farmers, including the Joad family. This economic
hardships and injustice are among the main causes of
migration. In “The Grapes of Wrath”, Steinbeck illustrates
that farmers are forced to leave their lands in search of new
opportunities as a result of The Great Depression and the
Dust Bowl: “ The bank – or the company – needs, wants,
insists, must have – as though the bank or the company
were a monster, with thought and feeling, which had
ensnared them. These last would take no responsibility for
the banks and companies, because they were men and
slaves, while the banks were machines and masters all at
the same time.” The Joad family and other migrant
workers are driven from Oklahoma to California in search
of a better life. However, upon arrival, they face
exploitative labour conditions and poverty. Previous
studies have shown that Steinbeck critiques the capitalist
system, exposing how economic policies during the Great
Depression exacerbated the suffering of ordinary people.
Here, the harshness of the capitalist system is depicted. In
examining Steinbeck’s novel, Western scholar Tomas
Cruz critiques the impact of capitalism on farmers:
“Steinbeck exposes the harsh realities of capitalism
through the struggles of ordinary farmers.” Prior research
confirms that economic reasons continue to be a major
driver of migration today. Unemployment and poverty
push people to move in search of better prospects. Social
inequality and injustice are also significant causes of
migration. In Steinbeck’s novel, the exploitation of farmers
forces them to look for new opportunities, Steinbeck
depicts the alienation and marginalization of migrant
workers who are treated as outsiders in California: “They
ain’t human. A human being wouldn’t live like they do. A
human being couldn’t stand to be so dirty.” In the work of
“The Grapes of Wrath” you can come across following
sentences: “In agriculture, whoever was in power was
opposed by everyone else.” Western scholar Mary
Johnson highlights how Steinbeck’s novel critiques the
social inequalities in capitalism. “The Grapes of Wrath is a
vivid depiction of the social inequalities under capitalism.”
The data suggest that Steinbeck emphasizes the resilience
and solidarity among migrants, showing how shared
suffering fosters a sense of community. However, the
novel also reveals the harsh realities of human greed and
indifference in the face of widespread suffering. And
Steinbeck critiques the capitalist system that prioritizes
profits over human welfare, portraying how economic
instability can strip people of their homes, dignity, and
hope.
Economic collapse and social factors in Fairy Tales
from the Past (Utmishdan ertaklar) of Abdulla Kahhor.
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In “Utmishdan ertaklar” (“Fairy Tales from the Past”), the
economic inequality and the issue of land ownership are
central: “During the Soveit era, for us peasants, every day
was filled with darkness.” In his study of Abdulla
Kahhor’s work, Normatov Umid notes that the difficult
economic situation of the peasants and their migration are
thoroughly analyzed: “In Kahhor’s works, economic
inequality is portrayed as the root of social conflicts.”
Abdulla Kahhor reflects on the economic struggles of the
Uzbek peasants under the feudal and early Soviet systems.
Landowners controlled resources, leaving little for the
working class. For example: “Whoever controlled the land
had everything, but the real workers could get nothing”.
Kahhor portrays the exploitation of peasants, who often
migrated to escape starvation and seek fairer opportunities.
In his analysis of Kahhor’s works, Kushjonov Matyokub
notes the portrayal of mismanagement of natural resources:
“Kahhor’s stories uncover issues such as the unequal
distribution and misuse of natural resources. His stories
offer an artistic explanation of the oppression and poverty,
shedding light on the hardships of ordinary people. One
instance of the situations is the scene in The Master, where
a laborer who has been searching for work goes to the city
and finds himself compelled to knock on every door in
search of sustenance. This situation vividly illustrates the
overwhelming influence of ignorance and poverty on the
protagonist’s life.” In the present day, global climate
change,
droughts,
and
environmental
crises
are
accelerating migration worldwide whereas in Kahhor’s
tale, the social stratification of the feudal system is
depicted. Regarding Kahhor’s works, Normatov Umid
explains how they reflect the consequences of feudal social
systems: “Kahhor’s works analyze the social inequalities
and injustices inherent in the feudal system.” This
investigation demonstrates that reducing social inequality
and injustice could help mitigate the migration flow.
Comparative analysis of both works.
If we compare these works of John Steinbeck and Abdulla
Kahhor based on comparative analysis, these two works
delve deeply into the causes of migration. I can say
following some of the similarities of them: economic
inequality is presented as a key cause in given works;
social injustice and unequal landownership are central
themes in them. At the same time, I would like to point out
the differences between these products. Steinbeck
emphasizes economical issues and critiques capitalism.
And the most important difference is that John Steinbeck
expresses each situation openly in his artifact. According
to the cultural and temporal contexts, Steinbeck’s work is
rooted in the capitalist and industrial realities of 1930s in
America. Author addresses how systemic oppression
transcends cultural and historical boundaries, highlighting
migration as a universal human experience. In “The Grapes
of Wrath”, the Joads emdiv resilience and hope for a
better future, despite systemic challenges. In this novel,
human struggles for dignity are highlighted by collective
resistance and community support among migrants.
Kahhor focuses more on resource distribution and social
class disparities. He draws attention to the problems within
the feudal system. Although he had to reveal each situation
figuratively in that period, his stories reflect the feudal and
transitional Soviet systems of Central Asia. Abdulla
Kahhor also informs about how systematized persecution
rise above cultural and historical bounds. Kahhor takes a
bleaker approach, showing how migration often
exacerbates poverty and despair. Despite that Kahhor
concentrates on individual struggles and the moral
dilemmas faced by migrants in urban settings.
SCIENTIFIC CONCLUSION
Both of the pieces of literature, “The Grapes of Wrath” and
“Utmishdan ertaklar” (“Fairy Tales from the Past”) offer
valuable insights into the economic and social reasons for
migration. Steinbeck’s critique of capitalist exploitation
and Kahhor’s depiction of feudal oppression highlight the
systemic forces that compel migration. These works
underscore the universal themes of poverty, inequality, and
human resilience in the face of adversity. Their relevance
extends beyond their historical contexts, providing critical
perspectives on contemporary migration issues. By
comparing these literary texts through economic and
sociological lenses, it becomes evident that migration is not
merely a choice but often a necessity dictated by structural
inequalities. This interdisciplinary approach enhances our
understanding of migration as a deeply human
phenomenon with profound social, economic, and cultural
implications.
In general conclusion according to my research, “The
Grapes of Wrath” by John Steinbeck portrays migration as
a deeply human struggle fueled by systemic economic and
social injustices as well as “Utmishdan ertaklar” (“The
Fairy Tales from the Past”) by Abdulla Kahhor. Despite
being written in different historical and cultural contexts,
these works share striking parallels in their depiction of
forced migration as a consequence of poverty, exploitation,
CURRENT RESEARCH JOURNAL OF PHILOLOGICAL SCIENCES (ISSN: 2767-3758)
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18
and inequality. Steinbeck critiques the capitalist greed and
mechanization that displace vulnerable farmers during the
Great Depression, whilst Kahhor examines the feudal
oppression and social hierarchy that push rural workers to
seek better opportunities. The two of the authors emphasize
the devastating impact of migration on families and
communities, highlighting the emotional, physical, and
social toll it takes on individuals. However, the authors also
present a glimmer of hope. Steinbeck focuses on the
solidarity and resilience among migrants, but Kahhor
showcases the enduring strength of the human spirit amidst
injustice. Together, these works serve as a universal
critique of socio-economic systems that prioritize power
and profit over human welfare. They remind readers of the
urgent need for systemic reform, empathy, and solidarity
to address the root cause of migration and build a more
equitable society.
REFERENCES
Steinbeck, J. 1939. The Grapes of Wrath.
Kahhor, A. 1958. Utmishdan ertaklar ( The Fairy Tales
from Past).
Normatov, U. 2020. The Works of Abdulla Kahhor in
Uzbek Literature History.
Kushjonov, M. 2015. Social Inequality in Kahhor’s Works.
Palmer, P. 2015. Environmental Crisis and Migration in
The Grapes of Wrath.
Johnson, M. 2016. Social Inequality in Steinbeck’s Novels.
Cruz, T. 2018. The Economic Struggles of Farmers in The
Grapes of Wrath.
