At different times in The Grapes of Wrath, by John Steinbeck, nearly all of the main characters endure spiritually trying times. Although they seem to be faithful, their faith seems to be more of a formality, and actually doesn’t mean much in their eyes. In fact, some of the characters even begin to question their faith, and the faith these characters hold is often detached from established religion. Former preacher Jim Casy is the first to address this theme when he speaks of his reformed faith. Instead of the black-and-white teachings of Christianity, Casy has come to believe in a natural unity of the human race. Casy abandoned his preaching because of skepticism about Christianity. The aspects of Christianity still present in the Joads’ lives tend to resemble rituals, like saying Grace to please Granma, more than being sincere beliefs. In addition, sometimes the characters' faith forms a sense of guilt that cripples them. Rosasharn worries constantly that her baby will be harmed because of her own unholy behavior and the behavior of those around her, although she doesn't seem to be particularly …show more content…
Sandry, who warns Rosasharn about the dangers of unholy behavior, especially the intimate dancing that takes place at the camp’s Saturday dances. Mrs. Sandry implies that if Rosasharn participates in these activities, she risks suffering a miscarriage. She also warns about the activities and actions of the people around her, and how that too may influence or affect her child. She states that the babes of sinners are born “dead and bloody” (page 310). Rosasharn dwells on these thoughts, and worries that her baby will be affected by unholy the actions of her and the people around her. Although Rosasharn does not show any indications towards having strong faith, she still stressed about unholy behavior and the possible repercussions on her unborn
When times get tough, many people turn away from everyone and everything. It must be part of human nature to adopt an independent attitude when faced with troubles. It is understandable because most people do not want to trouble their loved ones when they are going through problems, so it is easier to turn away than stick together. Maybe their family is going through a rough patch and they reason they would be better off on their own. This path of independence and solitude may not always be the best option for them or their family, though. Often times it is more beneficial for everyone to work through the problem together. It is not always the easiest or most desirable option, but most times it is the most efficient and it will get results in the long run. In The Grapes of Wrath, John Steinbeck makes this point very clear through several characters. Many characters throughout
Holiness, sin, and life are repeatedly questioned throughout John Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath, particularly by the former preacher, Jim Casey. As a preacher, Casey only preaches what the bible states and he resigns from his occupation after he feels the urge to pursue life's true meaning and values of the individual - basically to make sense of the world he resides in. Casey closely resembles the character and motives of Jesus Christ, as he is enthused to uncover the answers to his wonders and doubts and begins to hold new beliefs of sacrificing the self to sustain the rights of society.
Many novels written contain parallels to the Bible. This couldn’t be truer in the case John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath. Steinbeck alludes to Biblical characters and events with the use of Rose of Sharon, Jim Casy, and also the Joad’s journey to California. There are other events in the book that parallel the Bible, although the portrayal of Rose of Sharon and Jim Casy are the most obvious.
Throughout the book Steinbeck uses personification through Charley to create the idea that Charley is more than just a dog but he is a friend to Steinbeck, someone to rely on throughout his journey. Charley is alluded to a French gentleman poodle. He is portrayed as extremely wise and his uses for making connections with the people they encounter on their journey across the US. My understanding from reading the book and seeing how the book is portrayed gives me the idea that Charley has dignity and pride. The book states “Charley was torn three ways—with anger at me for leaving him, with gladness at the sight of Rocinante, and with pure pride in his appearance. For when Charley is groomed and clipped and washed he is as pleased with himself
Steinbeck's relationship to the transcendentalists [Emerson, Thoreau, and Whitman] was pointed out soon after The Grapes of Wrath appeared by Frederick I. Carpenter, and as the thirties fade into history, Jim Casy with his idea of the holiness of all men and the unreality of sin seems less a product of his own narrowly doctrinaire age than a latter-day wanderer from the green village of Concord to the dry plains of the West.
The differences between selfishness and selflessness are strong throughout The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck. Everywhere the Joad family goes there is always someone to either push them into the dirt or give them a hand out of the dirt. This happened far and wide, people can be greedy, selfish, and rapacious. It’s in our nature, but even in desperate times when people have a right to be selfish, some will find the will in their heart to aid those who can’t help themselves.
The tale of The Grapes of Wrath has many levels of profound themes and meanings to allow us as the reader to discover the true nature of human existence. The author's main theme and doctrine of this story is that of survival through unity. While seeming hopeful at times, this book is more severe, blunt, and cold in its portrayl of the human spirit. Steinbeck's unique style of writing forms timeless and classic themes that can be experienced on different fronts by unique peoples and cultures of all generations.
In 1939, The Grapes of Wrath was published and came under fire for its content. Vulgarity and the misrepresentation of a preacher were the main complaints that led to the ban and burning of the novel from St. Louis, Missouri libraries in September 1939. Vulgarity may be prevalent in the book, but it has its purpose. Steinbeck used some vulgar terms to accurately represent the lingo and slang that was used by the people of the 1930's. Most of the terms that were considered vulgar may be a bit distasteful, but is nothing that is not heard on the streets today. Extreme profanity is not extraneous in the novel, in fact, it is tame compared to slang terms used today. Casy, the former preacher that was traveling with the Joads, is not be given the connotation as the most holy man. Casy did not consider himself a minister at the time The Grapes of Wrath takes place. "But I ain't a preacher no more" is spoken many times by Casy in denial that he is a man of the cloth. Indeed, Casy is brutally killed in the novel, but it does not go into graphic, violent detail. Once again, Casy's feelings against the employers and government were common to the time and were used to state that idea.
In the novel, The Grapes of Wrath, John Steinbeck brings to the reader a variety of diverse and greatly significant characters. However, the majority of each characters' individuality happens to lie within what they symbolize in the microcosm of the Joad family and their acquaintances, which itself stands for the entire migrant population of the Great Depression era. One such character is that of Jim Casey, a former preacher and long-time friend of the Joads. In this story, Casey represents a latter-day Christ figure who longs to bring religious stability to the burgeon of migrant families facing West.
How does the concept of redemption impact The Grapes of Wrath? As John Steinbeck’s critically acclaimed novel, the allegory of the Joad family during the Dust Bowl represents the quest for redemption a myriad of people seek. Generally, the notion of redemption, found in religion, psychology, and in literature, impacts people’s lives in the present day as well as in the midst of the Depression era. In The Grapes of Wrath, Jim Casy, the moral compass for Joad family, utilizes his experience as a former preacher to offer intuition in relation to the nature of sin and inadvertently influence other characters to search for absolution as he did. Likewise, Uncle John feels remorse for the death of his wife, yet encounters redemption in venturing to California and choosing to absolve himself from his guilt. Additionally, Tom Joad, the protagonist, feels no inclination to redeem himself, until one incident induces him to make a sacrifice, therefore allowing him to become a savior for migrant
Tom Joad experiences many struggles in The Grapes of Wrath. Due to his struggles, he undergoes an immense change that causes him from being unconcerned and impassive to being contemplative and expressive. The journey with Casy and his family affects how he achieves success to become a true, strong character. With his responsibility of taking care of the family, he carries great burden and doubtful decisions of leading them to California. Throughout the journey, he faces trials and sufferings that lead him to have an inner conflict with himself in order for his family to have the golden opportunity to live prosperously in the scarce but hopeful land. His moments of feeling helplessness and vulnerability in the position of a deterred migrant,
“In the evening a strange thing happened…” (Steinbeck, 192). In chapter 17 of John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath, the reader witnesses the unity of the masses. As all the families gather in a camp after a long day driving, there is some sudden connection between the strangers. Steinbeck turns giant quantities (hundreds of people/twenty families) into one family, one struggle, and one dream for a better life. The word “one” is utilized to link these families to each other. A single guitar is able to gather a crowd men and women in a single song, and the birth of a single child is enough to amaze an entire camp. Quantity is reoccurring this text, but is very trivial in the scheme of things. The number of people seems irrelevant to the greater
Like many events in the novel, many characters in Steinbeck's novel The Grapes of Wrath symbolize the theme of Christianity. The most obvious character would be that of Jim Casy. Jim Casy was previously a preacher, but he gave up preaching because he felt he had sinned. He travels with the Joad family on their journey to California, and although he insists that he has given up his counseling past, he continues to act as a preacher for the Joad family.
The Grapes of Wrath attempts to show the difference between the groups of people and the characters along the lines of race, class, and religion, which are discussed in this paper. The Okies' racial status as Anglo Americans appeared to distinguish them from other immigrant workers. Steinbeck utilizes their whiteness further bolstering his good fortune. The "Harvest Gypsies" articles underline the migrants' Anglo-Saxon legacy: their names "show that they are of English, German and Scandinavian plunge." To these families living in provincial regions, with names like "Munns, Holbrooks, Hansens, Schmidts," majority rules system "was not just conceivable be that as it may inescapable" (Hicks, 1939). Steinbeck announces that "this new race" is in California for all time, dissimilar to past migrant gatherings who were extradited when they were no more handy; consequently, he predicts, the state will need to adjust its framework to suit them. Since they are Americans, "the old routines for constraint, of starvation wages, of imprisoning, beating and intimidation are not going to work." The Grapes of Wrath offers a challenge to working class readers to unite with the working population subjects of the story, contending that the desolates of capital amassing are felt all around the society, even all the more intensely on the penniless migrant workers.
Steinbeck's political views are quite evident within The Grapes of Wrath. The subject of much controversy, The Grapes of Wrath serves as a social protest and commentary. Steinbeck's views as expressed through the novel tie directly into the Marxist ideals on communism.