What's With the Title?

I finished The Grapes of Wrath like I said, but there is one thing I do not get: the title. The title is one of the most important aspects to a book, and I do not believe the title pertained to the book at all. I think if Steinbeck had named the book "Cotton of Wrath" or "Peaches of Wrath," I would understand that more than "Grapes of Wrath."

Now, maybe I am just behind and do not know what California is known for. But in going along with the book, the Joads do not pick grapes nor do they work in a grape factory or anything like that. I can understand the wrath part, as there are many angry and upset people throughout the book. I just think the title needed to be a bit more appropriate and go along with the book. Because I finished the novel wondering why the heck Steinbeck titled the book "Grapes of Wrath" and why my book had a picture of a guy on the front. However, I believe the guy on the front to be either Tom or Pa. I just did not understand the title. Because like I said earlier, the title has no significance whatsoever. Maybe I am missing an extremely large icon of symbolism in the title. Because the grapes symbolize where the Joad family is traveling to (California) and the "Wrath" is the government and people getting angry. Okay, scratch that last thought, but it could be a possibility. Grapes, if put under enough pressure and processing, turn into wine. So maybe the title "Grapes of Wrath" means that if the people are put under too much stress and pressure, they will change. The Joads and the rest of the American citizens are put under a lot of pressure and America does change as a whole. So, that example seems more logical than the fact that California might be famous for their grapes. Which, now that I think about it, I do not think they are.

Basically, I just wish Steinbeck had made a more clear title than "The Grapes of Wrath."