The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck

The Grapes of Wrath

In the novel, two of the main characters, Tom Joad and Jim Casy, are very similar in how they react to things. Their characters personalities are alike in the fact of how they view the world, and the journey they are going on. Because of the time they spend together they form a relationship and they have a certain effect on each other.

Tom Joad is the protagonist in the novel The Grapes of Wrath. He is good-natured and thoughtful. Tom is a character who devotes himself to the present moment, the future, which is out of reach, does not concern him at all. He lives this way for the mere reason of coping with his fears. He fears that by looking into the future he’ll drive himself mad with anger or helplessness. Tom, throughout the novel, undergoes the most significant transformation, while he shreds the philosophy of carpe diem for a commitment to bettering the future, although because he lives in the present it enables him to be a great source of vitality for the family.

Jim Casy is a former preacher. He had given up his ministry out of the belief that all human experience is holy. He has redefined the concept of holiness saying that the most devine aspect of human experience is to be found on earth. Jim Casy is said to have similar qualities to that of Jesus Christ, which John Steinbeck shows us by sharing the same initials.

Throughout their journey, Tom takes on the role of Casy’s disciple, and because of the hardship and hostility faced by the family they have served as a reason to convert Tom to Casy’s teachings. Tom then realizes that he cannot stand by to the world’s injustices, and cant take from other families for the well-being of his own. So he abandons the thought of structured lives and sets out on a course of public action. Casy also changed throughout the novel. By the end of the novel he had learned how to apply his talents are a spiritual healer and organize the migrant workers. He believes in the mission so strongly that he would give his life for it.

“Wherever they’s a fight so hungry people can eat, I’ll be there. Wherever they’s a cop beatin’ up a guy, I’ll be there. If Casy knowed, why, I’ll be in the way guys yell when they’re mad an’—I’ll be in the way kids laugh when they’re hungry n’ they know supper’s ready.