The Family of Man in The Grapes Of Wrath Essay

One Big Soul

Prompt: Support the idea that a major theme in this novel is that all men are part of the family of man.

In the novel, The Grapes of Wrath, John Steinbeck shows theme through the hardships of the Okies. Even through the hardships they faced on the journey to California, the Joad Family helped give rides and food to other poor migrants. The Joads were also helped buy others also in misfortune.

Even though most Okies were low on money and didnt have space in their cars, they let others in need join them. As Ma says to Casy when he asks if he could go along Why, wed be proud to have you (Steinbeck 101). This shows the Joads would accept a man in need into their family. The Joads accept him because they say it would be good to have a preacher along with them. Later in the story, the Joads come across the Wilsons. The Wilsons help the Joads out and try to save grandpa. In return, the Joads help fix the Wilsons car and Al tells them If some of us folks could ride with them an take some of their light stuff in the truck, we wouldnt break no springs an we could git up hills (Steinbeck 162). This shows two different families coming together and working as one. By coming together it allows both the Wilsons and Joads to continue and get closer to California.

The Joads help feed others even when their low on food and money themselves. When the Joads are at a campsite in California, Ma is making supper for the family, when a group of children come, stand near, and stare at the stew pot. Ma feels bad for them and after she has feed her family she tells the kids Im a gonna set this here kettle out, an youll all get a little tas, but it aint gonna do you no good (Steinbeck 284). This shows even when there family is low on food, the Joads help feed others. Earlier in the novel when Tom and Casy first arrive at Uncle Johns house, Pa says Ma, theres a coupla fellas jus come along the road, an they wonder if we could spare a bite (Steinbeck 79). Ma replies Let em come, we got aplenty. Ma not knowing who the people were, was willing to feed them. Towards the end of the novel, when the Joads arrive at a barn, they run into a boy and his father. The boy says that his pa is starving. As Rose of Sharon is pulling the starving mans head close to her she pleads You got to and then whispers to him There, there (Steinbeck 501). As Rose of Sharon does this, she strokes his hair, as if he were her child.

Throughout the story the Joads are helped out by others. When the Joads arrive at a government camp, they ask if theres any room. The camp guard informs them Got one camp. How many of you (Steinbeck 314). In the government camp there is no cops and the camp s run by the people in it. The people in the camp treat each other like family. When the Joads first arrive in California at a camp, cops come to the camp and start trouble. As a cop pulls out his gun, Tom trips him and Casy kicks him in the head. Casy is aware that the cop saw Tom trip him and would have him arrested so Casy states Tom you got to git out. Tom replies What about you. Casy answers somebody got to take the blame (Steinbeck 293). This shows Casy that Casy is a christ figure because he is saving Tom and the family from being spit.

The story of the Joads is used to show the theme all men are part of the same family through their hardships and coming together. As Casy says Maybe all men got one big soul everbodys a part of (Steinbeck 24).