There have been many great novels written throughout time, but scarcely any of them exemplify the meaning of brotherhood as beautifully as that in John Steinbeck's Grapes of Wrath. Steinbeck methodically makes brotherhood the backbone of his novel and in doing so, brings to light new boundaries for the meaning of friendship, family, and communal bonds.
The Grapes of Wrath Essay
There have been many great novels written throughout time, but scarcely any of them exemplify the meaning of brotherhood as beautifully as that in John Steinbeck's Grapes of Wrath. Steinbeck methodically makes brotherhood the backbone of his novel and in doing so, brings to light new boundaries for the meaning of friendship, family, and communal bonds. The Grapes of Wrath follows one Oklahoma family, the Joads, as they journey down Route 66 towards the earthly paradise of California. While on route to California, the Joads cross paths with fellow besieged and destitute families, non-hospitable farmers, spiteful Californians, and malicious officers. Steinbeck uses these encounters to show the birth of brotherhood between migrants and its enduring affects through biblical allusion, character development, and inter chapters.
In The Grapes of Wrath, Steinbeck helps develop the theme of brotherhood by using Biblical allusions. For example, the character Jim Casy, a former preacher turned philosopher, gives his life for the helpless migrants and their rising movement against their constant state of oppression. Casy is in every way a selfless and strong character who believes in the migrants, their goals, and in their goodness. His character represents Jesus in the Bible, who dies for the sins of man kind, because he loves man and believes they are worth it all. This Biblical allusion helps strengthen Steinbeck's theme of brotherhood by illustrating how one man's selflessness can make all the difference and bring the people one step closer to uniting for the common good of everyone. Another Biblical allusion that develops the theme of brotherhood is illustrated with the development of the character Tom Joad. Tom is at first just getting out of jail and in his own world, but he quickly becomes his family's savior and the migrant people's leader. After Casy is murdered, Tom takes up Casy's philosophy that all men are holy, and devotes his life to the migrants and to walking in Casy's footsteps. Tom's character and courage could be said to represent that of Paul's in the Bible. Paul, one of Jesus' disciples, devoted his life to preaching the principles of Jesus Christ in order to get people closer to God. This biblical allusion also helps develop the theme of brotherhood by demonstrating the next important step needed in order for the migrants to survive, which is not only coming together, but also spreading the seed of that unity. This seed is what the foundation of brotherhood relies on. A third and final example of the development of brotherhood through Biblical allusion is when the character Uncle John sends Rosasharn's still-born baby down the river in an apple box. He does this to show the farmers what they have done to the migrants, and to show the migrants what they must do. This symbolizes when in the Bible, Moses' mother sends him down the river in a basket to save him from death. Moses had a great plan for his life and tells his people, the slaves, that he will lead them to freedom. This Biblical s allusion and Uncle John's actions serve as the final step to developing brotherhood. Uncle John's action was an attack on the heartless farmers and a stand for the migrants. The migrants are full of wrath and are finally ready to take their stand, thus they are closer than ever and an unbreakable brotherhood has completely developed.
In Grapes of Wrath, Steinbeck helps develop the theme of brotherhood by illustrating the development of the character Rose of Sharon Joad. Rosasharn is a very young, naïve, and selfish girl at the beginning of the novel. For a period of time, all she did was day dream, complain, and wonder over the fact that she was pregnant and married. For example, while at a gas station on the way to California, the family dog was killed, but Rosasharn only complained, because she was afraid she had hurt her baby from screaming. She did not even think twice about the dead "family member", but instead she sat still, immersed in her thoughts and captivated with excitement of the coming baby, which only revealed her selfish nature all the more. As the novel progresses, however, Rosasharn learns the true meaning of the word family and the responsibilities that comes with it. She begins to develop and help her family after her husband abandons her, because she realizes that her family needs her and that she needs them. She demonstrates her growth and maturity within her family when she volunteers to watch Tom sleep. The final stage for Rosasharn's character development .was her complete rise from having a brute survival instinct into a nurturing state of grace, which occurred when she realizes people need each other in order to survive. Her selfless act, for example, of giving her milk to a complete stranger in order for him to survive was the ultimate and perfect example of brotherhood. Steinbeck ingeniously ended the novel with a powerful symbol of human life persisting despite the hostility of social forms and of nature which resulted in a destructive storm, a still-born child, destitution and starvation. In humiliation, discord and chaos, "Rose of Sharon's offering is a survival symbol": as a woman, she represents not the alleviation of oppression but the ability to endure it" (John Steinbeck). She finally shows concern for society with her offering. In conclusion, Rose of Sharon's transition from self to society helps develop the theme of brotherhood by focusing her concern on someone other than herself.
In The Grapes of Wrath, John Steinbeck uses inter chapters to further illustrate how the theme of brotherhood is developed. For example, there is an inter chapter set in a diner along route 66, where the waitress Mae and the cook Al work. While Mae is taking care of her regular truck driving customers, in walks this battered man with two young kids begging to be able to buy a loaf of bread for ten cents and Mae brushes them off at first. She reminds the man that she is not running a grocery store and that even if she did sell him a loaf of bread she would have to charge fifteen cents. From behind the counter, Al growls at Mae to give the man some bread, and she finally softens. Then she notices the two boys looking longingly at some nickel candy, and she sells their father two pieces for a penny. The truckers, witnessing this scene, leave Mae an extra-large tip. This particular inter chapter displays acts of brotherhood by the least likely of people, because of their financial situations. The fact, however, that the less fortunate are able to give more of themselves is what makes the theme of brotherhood that is developing all the more beautiful and strong. Another inter chapter that gives the perfect picture of brotherhood is the one that describes how the migrants come together while on the road. As masses of cars travel together and camp along the highway, little communities spring up among the migrant farmers. In these communities "twenty families became one family." and the children were the children of all. Every person's loss became the loss of everyone and in the midst of all this, as time passed by, these worlds became governed, safe, and a way of life for thousands. This inter chapter helps to develop the theme of brotherhood by once again showing the special bond and family like atmosphere created between those migrants who share the common goal of survival. A final inter chapter in the novel illustrates how the hostility directed toward the migrants changes them and brings them together. Property owners are terrified of "the flare of want in the eyes of the migrants." California locals form armed bands to terrorize the "Okies" and keep them in their place. The owners of large farms drive the smaller farmers out of business, making more and more people destitute and unable to feed themselves or their children. As different groups of people are forming against the migrants, the migrants have established their own big family and an everlasting brotherhood has developed. .In conclusion Steinbeck develops brotherhood further by using these inter chapters to show how life on the road demands that new kinships be formed between the migrants in order for survival. These kinships then developed into a family, a trust, a brotherhood.
In The Grapes of Wrath, Steinbeck proves, with biblical allusions, inter chapters, and character development that brotherhood is as relevant today as it was during the Great Depression. Not only is brotherhood portrayed and ingeniously developed in this classic novel, but it is also seen in today's society. A perfect example of brotherhood in today's society is the September 11th attacks on the World Trade Towers in New York City in 2001. Brotherhood was exemplified beyond one's wildest imagination, as thousands and thousands of firefighters, police officers, and American citizens put their lives on the line and on hold, in order to help save the lives of those directly affected by the attacks. Everyone across the United States was inspired by brotherhood to help and many did, which has made all the difference. These brave men and women displayed tremendous courage and devotion for each other which, when one thinks about it, this represents the strongest form of brotherhood possible.
This is the complete article, containing 1,557 words
(approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page).
