* Dehumanized and Distant: Banks are referred to as "they" or "it" – a conscious choice to emphasize the distance between the farmers and the entities that control their lives. This underscores the sense of powerlessness and alienation felt by the Joads and other migrants.
* Cold and Uncaring: The banks are described as entities that operate with cold logic and a lack of empathy for the suffering of individuals. Their decisions are driven by profit and not by the needs of the people.
* Predatory and Exploitative: The banks are portrayed as predatory, preying on the desperate needs of farmers facing drought and economic hardship. They offer loans with high interest rates and seize land ruthlessly, contributing to the displacement and suffering of families.
* Symbols of Greed and Injustice: The banks become symbolic of the larger forces of greed and injustice that are driving the Dust Bowl migration. They represent the wealthy elite who are profiting from the suffering of others.
* The "Monster" Analogy: Steinbeck famously describes the banks as "a monster" – a creature that is both abstract and powerful, capable of swallowing up the lives of the people it preys upon. This metaphor captures the sense of fear and helplessness that the migrants feel.
Through these descriptions, Steinbeck effectively exposes the exploitative nature of the financial system and its impact on the lives of ordinary people. He emphasizes the moral responsibility of those in power and the need for human compassion in a world marked by economic inequality.