Grapes of Wrath :: essays papers

Grapes of Wrath It is said that everything is done for a purpose, and if that purpose is not obvious, it could be evident within oneself. In The Grapes of Wrath, by ass Steinbeck, the story not only entails the tale of the tragically poor, still also an uplifting sense of discovery. The story tells not only of the physical journey to California, still of the characters spiritual travels as well. By examining the lives of Jim Casy, Tom Joad, and Ma Joad, one will see the enlightening changes that mark their lives through the depression. Jim Casys journey is an astounding one. He begins his purport as a preacher, yet decides one day that his work is invalid sinful, in some way. He says to Tom, I used ta get the people jumpin an talkin in tongues, an glory-shoutin till they just fell down an passed out. . . An then - you know what Id do? Id take one of them girls out in the grass, an Id lay with her. Done it ever time. Then Id emotional state bad, an Id pray an pray, but it did nt do no good. Come the nex time, them an me was full of the sperit, Id do it again. I figgered there just wasnt no hope for me, an I was a cursedly ol hypocrite. But I didnt mean to be. (Page 28) He decides that he is not noble enough to continue his work, and grows distempered when others ask him to preach the word of God. He spends his time with the Joad family gratefully, but little else. He does no real work to help them out he spends most of his time thinking to himself. Although Casy repeatedly confesses his guilt for doing nothing for the family, he makes no real efforts to contribute, and remains on the sidelines. However, when Tom trips a policeman that was threatening to take everyone to the station, Casy takes the blame. Casy turned to Al. Get out, he said. Go on, get out - to the tent. You dont know nothin. Yeah? How bout you? Casy grinned at him. Somebody got to take the blame. I got no kids. Theyll jus put me in jail, an I aint doin nothin but set aroun. Al said, Ain t no reason for - Casy said softly, If you mess in this your whole fambly, all your folks, gonna get in trouble.