The document discusses mankind's ability to persevere through hardship. It references John Steinbeck's works like The Grapes of Wrath that illustrated the human struggle to survive difficult conditions like the Dust Bowl era when farming land became unusable. The works show how people's lives were upended and they struggled for survival, with some leaving everything behind to head to unknown places like California in search of work.

1. Man’s ability to persevere By Alan Campbell

3. "Ancient Egyptian laborers harvest grapes and press them under watchful eye of owner (Date: 1/10/1941)." (1941): Image Collection . EBSCO. Web. 27 Sept. 2010.

5. "Circa 540 BC, The wrath of God over Belshazzar's feast signifies impending doom for Babylon (Photo by Three Lions/Getty Images)." (n.d.): Image Collection . EBSCO. Web. 27 Sept. 2010.

6. John Steinbeck Pulitzer Prize winning novel Illustrates the Human condition To struggle To survive To hope

7. Dust Bowl Farm land becomes unusable

8. "April 1938: A dust bowl farmstead in Dallam County, Texas, showing the desolation produced by the dust and wind on the countryside adding to the problems of the depression in the USA. (Photo by Three Lions/Getty Images)." (1938): Image Collection . EBSCO. Web. 27 Sept. 2010.

9. Lives turned upside down People struggle for survival Do or die Leave it all behind Head off into the unknown

10. "A car full of 'Oakies,' refugees from the Dust Bowl, look for work in San Francisco, California. Some of their possessions are secured to the running board. (Photo by Herbert/Getty Images)." (n.d.): Image Collection . EBSCO. Web. 27 Sept. 2010.

12. "WAX2001061401 -14 JUNE 2001 - WASHINGTON, D. C. USA: The lab mice shown in this University of Virginia School of Medicine handhout have the same special genetic makeup but one is a different color because of an addition to its diet. rw/HO/Carolyn Cronin UPI." (2001): Image Collection . EBSCO. Web. 27 Sept. 2010.

14. "12th December 1962: James Watson and Francis Crick are amongst the winners receiving their Nobel Prizes in Stockholm (left to right) Professor Maurice Williams; Dr Max Perutz (1914 - 2002); Dr Francis Crick; John Steinbeck; Professor James Watson and Dr John C Kendrew. (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images) -- Image Date: 12/12/1962 -- Image Date: 12/12/1962." (1962): Image Collection . EBSCO. Web. 27 Sept. 2010.

15. John Steinbeck Novella Illustrates the human condition Friendship Hopes and Dreams The ultimate act of friendship