The two novels, The Grapes of Wrath and The Invisible Man, are evidently two classic masterpieces that beautifully portray the social, economic and political turmoil that prevailed in the mid-20th century in America. Despite the obvious differences, the lives of the protagonists in these two novels are similarly affected by external forces. Perhaps, the main similarities between these two novels are the protagonists' desperate struggle for survival and the way their dreams and hopes are dashed once they reach their destination. In The Grapes of Wrath, the Joads hope for a positive improvement in their lives and reach California, where their dreams and hopes are shattered. Similarly, in Invisible Man, the unnamed narrator reaches Harlem, where his dreams and hopes of returning to college and obtaining a college degree are dashed. In short, their desperate attempts to become socially significant are destroyed. These two American literatures could be known for speaking and expounding the various controversial issues. Ellison and Steinbeck express the feeling of American society regarding the social problems it faces, intending to arouse intense feelings in readers. Both create a lot of emotions and convey the true reality of American society. They make readers perceive the negative reality of their society. The negative aspects of the societies these two authors talk about include racism, poverty and discrimination. In The Invisible Man, Ellison makes readers witness the scurrilous and irascible behavior of whites towards black Americans. The inhumane behavior of whites, resulting in the mistreatment of blacks. And in the case of The Grapes of Wrath, Steinbeck makes readers witness the record... in the center of the paper... loyally. This obstacle in the journey is created by the upper class so that their desperate attempt to become socially and economically significant is dashed. It is evident that by depicting the social, economic, and political turmoil that the protagonists face, Ellison and Steinbeck are attempting to make an affirmative statement through their novels. A statement that does not only concern these two protagonists or only the people in these two novels, but also the entire community. Ellison and Steinbeck thus made the protagonists the representatives of their respective communities. Especially in Invisible Man, the protagonist is invisible. It has neither a name nor an identity. By making them representatives of their communities, these two authors invite readers to generalize the conditions prevailing in America in the mid-20th century.