Earthquake San Francisco Essay, Research Paper

The novel Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck, illustrates thehardships of the common man in great detail. The one aspect ofthis book that displays life as it exists in the hostile real-worldis the third chapter, in which the human plight is displayed by aturtle, and his struggle to reach the other side of a road. As theturtle is about to reach his goal, it is returned to it’s originallocation, but it does not waver in it’s determination, and continuesacross the road until it reaches the other side. The characters mosteasily identified with in this book are the Joad family, and JimCasy. Each character undergoes tremendous heartache and burden, yetthey stay true to their plans, and never give up. While the Joadfamily is moving from Oklahoma to California, Ma Joad holds thefamily together, becuase her belief that a broken-family will notbe able to accomplish their mammoth task, is true. This is displayedby her not allowing the two cars to split and arrive at Californiaat different times, when one of the cars breaks down, as they areleaving Oklahoma. Pa Joad was a hardworking man, who is uplifted

from his normal way of life, and is forced to account for his familynot starving. He does not handle this move very well, and throughoutthe book, he is confused, and not as headstrong as Ma. Tom Joad isa very complicated individual, who is a tremendous asset and at thesame time, a tremendous burden. His parole cuases his family anunneeded worry, while his ability to get work while very few peopledo, also benefited the family. He is the main protagonasist for hisfamily, with his independent nature, and the main follower of JimCasy’s philosophy on human nature, with Jim being much more of atalker, and an idealist to actually put what he preached into action. Jim Casy has fequently been compared with Jesus Christ, and hislifestyle of preaching and leading people in a revolt, as well assacrificing himself for Tom and the Joad family demonstrates thiscommon held belief well. He also had a follower, or disciple in Tom,who after Jim’s death carries his message, and aids others with it. The Joad family along with Jim Casy show the benefit of peopleuniting in order to accomplish goals, and this is a lesson thatthe reader can take away from this “classic” American novel.