Compare how the authors illustrate the effect of poverty, prejudice and discrimination on the central characters in 'Sula' by Toni Morrison and 'The Grapes of Wrath' by John Steinbeck?

I have chosen the books 'Sula' by Toni Morrison and 'The Grapes of Wrath' by John Steinbeck for my essay as they both present similar themes and issues. These issues link the books due to the writers' awareness of discrimination, racism and other difficulties that occur towards the central figures of the novels. I want to discover whether the writers cause the hardships and prejudice that the characters face, to affect or change the characters …

…prejudice and other adversities that affect them can sometimes cause them to become stronger and greater human beings. Morrison causes us to appreciate the reality of racial segregation and Steinbeck reflects effectively the poverty, suffering and discrimination the Joads have to encounter. We as the reader do not believe the characters should have suffered in the way they did and are left on a note of sadness due to the upsetting, harsh actions of humanity.