The Christian Ideals in The Grapes of Wrath In Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath one of the themes discussed is the idea of Christian goodness exhibited in the Joads and other migrant workers. Those in the book representing this * "[eat] together with glad and sincere hearts." This type of selfless sharing is a Christian concept of good fellowship. Particularly, Ma shows her caring towards others from the beginning and urges others to do the same. Jim Casy, while struggling with the orthodox view of Christianity, still displays a general concern for his fellow man. Repeatedly the family and others associated sacrifice comfort for the requirements of others. When people are in need, a sacrifice for their behalf makes society more pleasant to inhabit. Though the Joads do not have much, Ma feels that it is her duty to take care of others during the journey. In order to bring Jim Casy on the trip, she poses the idea that "[it's not] kin we... it's will we." She acknowledges that what they are about to endeavor is beyond their means already and that the decision to bring Casy along will be made for compassion, not ability. Presenting kindness to one's neighbor regardless of one's situation is a key Christian concept. This type of sacrifice soon becomes a standard in the behavior of Ma. Time and again, Ma gives to the others, forgetting her own needs. For the family, she lies with Grandma after her death so that so family can cross the Californian border. She does not complain or think of herself, but only asks 2 them to leave her alone so that she will be able to stay strong. This causes their small hierarchical family's troubles to be eased. She says: "I'm tar'd" because Ma gives her strength to all of them. ... ... middle of paper ... ...underlying standard. He believes that he must *"love [his] neighbor" if their world is ever to improve. Sairy Wilson exhibits this perception of Christian ethics by volunteering to help Ma with the task of burying Grandpa. She discerns that "people needs - to help," that by sacrificing for others, people are not only giving themselves a sense of security and unity, but also are setting an example of how others should live. The Joads go through most of the book not realizing the reality of what they are doing for other people. This instinctive manner in which certain characters, like Ma and Jim Casy, give to others is a basis for Christian ideals. Eventually, all of the Joads develop this devotion. The only way the people can truly help themselves is "to create beyond the single need." * from the NIV Student Bible- Acts 2:42-47; Leviticus 19:18
Armand feels like he is the victim of betrayal by his wife Désirée. As the baby gets older it is clear that the baby is not white. Armand’s attitude quickly makes him assume that Désirée is not white giving Armand a feeling of deception. He denounces his love for Désirée and the child and casts them out of the house and his life. Désirée is stricken with grief about her treatment by Armand. She cannot believe how a man who loves her so much could treat her with such hostility and cruelty. Désirée develops a negative attitude towards herself and her baby. She is upset that she cannot change how Armand thinks of her because of her baby. This attitude causes Désirée to walk out of Armand’s life forever to her demise. Core beliefs also give to human behavior in “Samuel” and “Desiree’s
Having watched the movie "Grapes of Wrath", I have been given the opportunity to see the troubles that would have befell migrant workers during the Great Depression. Though the Joads were a fictitious family, I was able to identify with many signs of hope that they could hold onto. Some of these families who made the journey in real life carried on when all they had was hope. The three major signs of hope which I discovered were, overcoming adversity, finding jobs, and completing the journey.
Events such as the strange woman appearing before Grandma's death and Jim Casy's preaching reinforce the purpose of religion for the migrating poor in the novel of The Grapes of Wrath. Religion allows the migrating poor to continue their journey to a "better" life. Throughout the novel the people, such as the Joad family, encounter many hardships. Several other families who have already been to California, in search of the same "paradise" the Joad's are in search of, found exactly the opposite. The Joad's are advised of this problem, but because of their hope and faith that they will find the work they need, they continue on. Without religion, the migrating poor would not be able to keep on their way. Religion and Christianity do more helping than hindering for the migrating families.
With the return of Tom to the family in the beginning of the story, the Joad family is once again united, though at the same time we see them to be utterly isolated from other migrants. It is not until the loss of a proverbial "right-arm" of the family (Grandpa) that the family is first unified with others, the Wilsons. As their journey progresses, they lose more members and struggle through increasing hardships, but in each situation the two families act as one and persevere. Grandma follows her husband to the grave, Ivy Wilson's health degrades, Noah leaves the family he knows doesn’t truly love him, their cars continually break down, and their money is fast disappearing. Vehicles, food, and money are all shared, but with one family's loss the entire group benefits.
The passage Desiree’s Baby is a story about two people falling in love. Even with love they can not change the unexpected outcome of the truth about their past and heritage. Their is a deeper theme throughout the passage. It is about the young man name Armand denying, and not accepting himself for being black. This leads Armand down a dark path, and self hatred that he can not escape.
When Désirée had the baby, her mother noticed immediately that something was wrong with the baby; Madame Valmonde screamed “This is not the baby!” It wasn’t until when the baby was 3 months old that Désirée noticed the appearance of the baby and demanded an answer from Armand. Armand noticed this early already, so he told Désirée that she was at fault for the baby being black, “It means,” he answered lightly, “that the child is not white; it means that you are not white” (424). Désirée believed this because no one knew of her past. This distinctly shows how Désirée’s character lives to learn how close racism and male dominance can get in Southern life. For instance, when Armand says, “The child is not white; it means that you are not white” (424). This is when Armand realizes his wife is not the same as he is, and from this moment on, wants nothing to do with either her or their child. In the beginning of the story, Armand was deeply in love with Désirée, and still was, until the moment he realized their baby was not white. This is a glimpse of how life was in the South. Chopin offers a compelling vision of the class-based and racial prejudice of the South. As many critics would agree, Chopin’s stories have “the freshness which springs from an unexplored field—the quaint and picturesque life among the Creole and Acadian folk of the
When grown into young womanhood she is as beautiful and charming as she has always been. In addition, she loves easily and without judgementalism. At the end of the short story, Chopin describes a scenery where Desiree is bound to drown her baby and herself. This portrays Desiree as courageous due to the fact that she wouldn’t put up with society’s criticism just because of her child’s complexion. Meanwhile Curley’s wife is lonely. She exploits her power as the Boss' son's wife to threaten others and seeks company from the other ranch men by constantly coming to the bunk house under the pretense of looking for Curley when ironically, she wants to get away from him. Family wise, Curley’s wife had a bad relationship with her mother at such a young age, resulting in her becoming homeless after she leaves the home of her mother. She then meets Curley and marries him, to her convenience of shelter and food making her dependent and putting up with the men in the novel discriminating her just because of her
In the novels Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel (1989) and The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck (1939), both authors explore the enduring strength of the human spirit, complex family dynamics, and the power of hope to create change in one’s world. The message of both texts is that people are both big and small; they can enact powerful change in the world around them, but even the most righteous change enacted by one person alone cannot affect great numbers.
In the book Grapes of Wrath, John Steinbeck uses people and situations to represent and also criticize Christianity. From the people in this book to the immorality regarding certain situations. Throughout the book there are many examples of “sins” and immorality, but there are also examples of the need for no religion, the strengths of these people and their situations. Christianity is taken as many different things by people throughout this book.
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.
The main irony around the story revolves around the fact that Desiree background is unknown. Considering that Armand came from a generation whose family history was well known. Desiree then disappeared among reeds and willows that grew thick along the banks of the deep, sluggish bayou; and she didn’t come back again. After Armand disowns his wife and son, his dismissiveness creates a tragic misery for her to live in. Desiree finally asks Armand why is he so angry? He then replies to her that the child is not white meaning you’re not white.”Look at my hand “whiter than yours, Armand”, she laughed hysterically (3). Once Desiree was able to hold a pen in her hand she sends a disturbing letter to her mother. Before Desirre made her final decision she placed a letter upon in front of him continuously asking her husband do he wants her to leave Armand replies “Yes, go”(3).Armand thought almighty god was punishing him for how he has brutally treated his wife, because of the unconscious damage she had brought upon his home and his name. A few weeks later Armand starts a bonfire and burns all of his sons and wife possessions. His hatred against anyone that was of color was more than just heartless it was very
People often give up everything that have for others, not because they have a lot to give, but because they know what it feels like to have nothing.
One of the most argued topics throughout history is the conflict of law versus morality. It is hoped that law and morality would work together hand in hand. Unfortunately, there are many instances where law is corrupted and subdues morality. Even in the modern age injustices caused by the law seems like a common occurrence. Literary figures like John Steinbeck and Mark Twain believed that it was important to remain devoted to one's morality, or find new morals when law is corrupted. Through Twain and Steinbeck's most influential works Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and The Grapes of Wrath clearly show the authors' view on the significance of morality. Examples in the novels include the depiction of suffering caused by the law, the idea of
Jim Casy’s alienation allows him to isolate specific people in society who appear purely good within this downgrade society, as he travels with the Joad family whom he believes are good people. Trying to form salvation for the migrant workers. Learning about culture, he depicts flaws, as he’s “been walkin’around’ in the country. Ever’body’s askin’ that. What we comin’ to? Seems to me we don’t never come to nothin’. Always on the way. Always goin’ and goin’.” (127-128). Steinbeck would use Casy’s sermons as a biblical allusion to Jesus to reinforce the theme of salvation. Later Jim Casy would finally realize that he has found his place in society after living from alienation for so long, with learning more about the Joad family and his experience
In 'Desiree?s Baby,' Chopin illustrates her idea of the relationship between men and women by portraying Desiree as vulnerable and easily affected, whereas Armand is presented as superior and oppressive. Throughout ?Desiree?s Baby,? Kate Chopin investigates the concept of Armand's immense power over Desiree. At first, Desiree tries to conform to the traditional female role by striving to be an obedient wife. Later in the story, this conformity changes after Desiree gives birth to her part-black son.