The quote reflects the intense struggle of the Okie migrants in "The Grapes of Wrath" by John Steinbeck. They arrive with hope for safety and sustenance but instead face hostility and disdain. The conflict is rooted in a deep-seated animosity from the landowners, who see the Okies not as fellow human beings but as threats to their livelihoods and status. This animosity is portrayed as a reflection of a historical pattern where the strong exploit the weak, perpetuating a cycle of injustice.