Conclusion

By compiling artifacts the "Okies" and migrant families may have seen during migration the California, we realized that these handbills, flyers, billboards and other forms of media acted as a kind of veil or lens that growers used to lure in struggling families. The agricultural industry was just beginning to grow and what better way to bring in the workers needed, than a promise to the basic human needs such as housing, food, water and money. 

The image above is a prop made for the movie, Grapes of Wrath. It encapsulates what Steinbeck and other media/entertainment producers wanted others to see out of the 1930s migration of families to California. This handbill advertises for fruit pickers wanted. Similar to the handbills mentioned in the book, 

"Pa said, "When we get there. Gettin' there's the trouble." "Oh, but she's worth it," said Wilson. "Why, I seen han'bills how they need folks to pick fruit, an' good wages. Why, jus' think how it's gonna be, under them shady trees apickin' fruit an' takin' a bite ever' once in a while. Why, hell, they don't care how much you eat 'cause they got so much. An' with them good wages, maybe a fella can get hisself a little piece a land an' work out for extra cash. Why, hell, in a couple years I bet a fella could have a place of his own."

Pa said, We seen them han'bills. I got one right here." He took out his purse and from it took a folded orange handbill. In black type it said, "Pea Pickers Wanted in California. Good Wages All Season. 800 Pickers Wanted." (99)

Handbills and advertisements gave "Okies" hope for a bountiful life, that is sustainable and full of work that was lacking where they came from.

Through creating this this exhibit, we found that similar to now, advertisement's role has not changed. The main purpose and role of advertising is to lure in consumers or workers for the grower or producer's benefit. These advertisements (coming in many forms) were unavoidable by migrant families and peoples. Their message contrasted heavily with the lives of who they were being seen by, which made them much more alluring.