Power of Religion in John Steinbecks The Grapes of Wrath...

The Power of Religion in John Steinbecks The Grapes of Wrath John Steinbecks epic novel, The Grapes of Wrath, chronicles the struggles of the Joads as they join the thousands of fellow Okies in a mass migration westward. The Joads reluctantly leave behind their Oklahoma farm in search of work and food in California. While Steinbeck writes profoundly and emotionally about the political problems of the Great Depression, his characters also show evidence of a deep concern with spirituality. When they feel hopeless and are uncertain about their immediate future, their concentration on religion dwindles. On the other hand, when they leave their home, the Joads regain spiritual faith; they have something to live for: California. Once†¦show more content†¦When he joins the Joads on their journey, he does have a promised land of sorts where he is leading them. He is not immediately comfortable with the expectations the Joads place on him, however. When prodded by Granma to say grace at breakfast before leaving home, Casy initially refuses, ad mitting that he does not know for what or to whom he should pray. But he explains how he had a religious awakening: There was the hills, an there was me, an we wasnt separate no more. We was one thing. An that one thing was holy...Im glad of the holiness of breakfast. Im glad theres love here (81). The emphasis on the humanitarian, realistic aspect of religion (as opposed to the treatment of God) serves to lead his new family in their trek, whereas supernatural faith had already been shattered by the loss of the land. Later, as the Joads pass through western Oklahoma, Grampa suffers a stroke. Casys natural reaction is treat his body and determine what, if anything, can be done to save his life. Granma, on the other hand, yells at him to stop what he is doing and start praying (137). The Joads arrive in California and never find the paradise they had convinced themselves existed there. With their only hope for salvation dashed, they unwillingly discover the politics of labor. After meeting the mayor of Hooverville, where they decide to camp, Tom learns fromShow MoreRelatedGrapes Of Wrath By John Steinbeck3897 Words   |  16 PagesHave you ever realized that John Steinbeck talked about Religion in his book Grapes of Wrath? Well, if your answer is NO, let me inform you that Steinbeck did talk about Religion in his book. There are many similarities in John Steinbeck’s Grapes of Wrath and Christ’s story. In The Grapes of Wrath, Steinbeck presents religion in different ways ranging from Jim Casy’s similarities to Christ, the use of Christian theology, and the symbolism of some characters as pastors. Throughout his book, SteinbeckRead More Symbols and Symbolism in John Steinbecks The Grapes of Wrath2004 Words   |  9 PagesSymbols and Symbolism in John Steinbecks The Grapes of Wrath      Ã‚   Symbolism in The Grapes of Wrath is extremely complex, with many images drawn from the Old and New Testaments.   However, Steinbeck as usual was eclectic in his use of symbols, and a great deal of the novel is given to either pagan and universal archetypes, or to highly original meanings unique to the authors own vision and experience.   While acknowledging the Judeo-Christian content, these other symbols are just as importantRead MoreEssay on Steinbecks The Grapes of Wrath vs. Sinclair’s The Jungle1892 Words   |  8 PagesSteinbecks The Grapes of Wrath vs. Sinclair’s The Jungle The global appeal of the so-called American dream of happiness and success has drawn many people to the â€Å"promised land† for hundreds of years. Although the American government preached equality for all on paper, it was driven primarily by money. Both Upton Sinclair and John Steinbeck recognized this and used literature to convey the flaws of capitalism. Sinclair’s The Jungle satirized America’s wage slavery at the turn of the centuryRead More The Changing Family Revealed in Grapes of Wrath Essay1785 Words   |  8 PagesThe Changing Family Revealed in Grapes of Wrath  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚   The emphasis on family in America is decreasing. Divorce rates, single-parent households, and children born out of wedlock are all increasing. Furthermore, instead of the network of aunts, uncles, grandparents, cousins, and other relatives that was prevalent in early America, Americans today are more distant from their extended family. As sociologist David Elkind said in a 1996 interview with Educational Leadership, Instead of togethernessRead MoreThemes And Styles Of John Steinbeck s The 4033 Words   |  17 PagesJohn Buttiglione Mr. Bruno English IV Period 08 November 17, 2014 Themes and Styles of John Steinbeck John Ernst Steinbeck, Jr. was born on February 26, 1902 in Salinas, California. He spent the majority of his childhood there and readers learn about his home city and childhood in his works. Steinbeck wrote novels, non-fiction books, short stories, poetry, and plays. Some of his most impactful and recognized works include: Of Mice and Men, The Grapes of Wrath, The Pearl, The Moon is Down, EastRead More Brief Biography of John Steinbeck Essay3594 Words   |  15 PagesBrief Biography of John Steinbeck John Steinbeck lead a life filled with words, from his award winning novels to the hundreds letters he wrote to friends during his career. He was born in Salinas, California on February 27, 1902, and lived there for the first sixteen years of his life until he graduated from Salinas High School in 1918. He took classes at Stanford, but spent more of his college years working to pay tuition than then he spent in the classroom. 1924 brought his first publicationRead More Grapes Of Wrath Biblical Allusions Essay889 Words   |  4 Pages John Steinbeck carefully molded his story The Grapes of Wrath to encompass many themes and ideas. He included several Biblical allusions to enforce his message of the migrating families coming together to form a community. Steinbeck alludes to Biblical characters through Jim Casy and Rose of Sharon, events like the family’s journey to California and the flood at the end of the novel, and teachings throughout the novel.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The Biblical allusions represented by the characters in the novelRead More Role of the Family Explored in Slapstick and Grapes of Wrath2584 Words   |  11 PagesRole of the Family Explored in Slapstick and Grapes of Wrath  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚   On Maslows hierarchy of needs, the need for belongingness and love ranks only below the need for survival, making it one of our most basic needs (Weiten 267). Many people fill this need for affection by participating in a family unit. However, as the 20th century continues, the emphasis on family in America is decreasing. Divorce rates, single-parent households, and children born out of wedlock are all increasing. FurthermoreRead MoreSteinbecks Nonteleological Perspective3036 Words   |  13 Pagesliterary example of a non-teleologist is a man named John Steinbeck. Throughout his life Steinbeck experimented with Darwinism, transcendentalism, realism, socialism, naturalism, and Taoism (Endnotes 1). Each of these ways of thinking show up in Steinbecks philosophy and therefore his work cannot be classified specifically. All that may be said is that he had a non-teleological way of thinking. As nature played such a major role in his life, Steinbecks characters are shaped by nature and their surroundingsRead MoreThroughout history, human beings have been motivated by self-interest in order to overcome,1800 Words   |  8 Pagesnot a viable answer. Others contend that altruism and greed are equal and dual powers. In fact, history has shown that during the Great Depression it is the perpetuation of avarice that drives individuals to create a system that sinks thousands into poverty. In contrast, it is also the idea and action taken by individuals that prove the role of humans to help each other as a necessity. In The Grapes of Wrath, author John Steinbeck indirectly implies that both greed and generosity are self-perpetuating