Capitalism, Religion and Pity: The Grapes of Wrath

June 2, 2010

Capitalism, Religion and Pity: The Grapes of Wrath

During the Great Depression, drought and the erosion of top soil in the American south led to massive

crop failures and tornadoes of dust. Now known as the Dust Bowl, it created the largest exodus that America has

ever seen; hundreds of thousands of farmers were forced to leave their farms for better opportunities in the West.

Conditions were not much better there as the migrants faced discrimination from Californians, few jobs,

homelessness and starvation. The injustices that the migrants faced were intense, yet many Americans at the time

remained detached. John Steinbeck, angered by the injustices he saw in his native California and frustrated at the

lack of concern given to the migrant farmers, wrote his masterpiece, The Grapes of Wrath, in hopes of raising

sympathy for their plight. Through the creation of a common enemy, the use of biblical references and the

portrayal of his characters, Steinbeck is successful in eliciting overwhelming emotion in the American public.

Touted as “a phenomenon on the scale of a national event” and ``one of the most arresting [novels] of its time”, a

National Book and Pulitzer Prize Award winner, Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath is magnificent in its capture of

human emotion.

Steinbeck’s voice is pervasive throughout the novel; though at times reflective and often sympathetic, his

voice is not always so kind. Between the sympathy, the reflection and vivid imagery is something darker, colder,

and more sinister; his bitterness permeates between the lines to paint a criticism of capitalist society—leaving no

doubt who the anti-heroes of this novel are. At one point detailing the inhumanity of Californian farmers who

forgo decency for profit; another likening it to an inhuman monster that manipulates men, Steinbeck is successful

in eliciting distaste—if not disgust, indignation, contempt, horror and wrath—for the capitalist greed that mars the

United States of America. Readers, from the bludgeoning rich who have thrived in the capitalism that marks this

country, to the forgotten poor, who have been victimized by it, are all subject to Steinbeck’s embittered

expositions of capitalist greed. The injustice and greed that Steinbeck characterizes capitalism resonates with all

readers because injustice and greed are universally resented.

Though his depictions elicit such strong feelings, Steinbeck’s achievements surpass mere emotions; he

unifies his readers towards a single cause. This single cause is the plight of the Dust Bowl farmers—the Joad family

and all the destitute, humbled and victimized Americans they represent. Capitalism, being the root of all evils

within the novel, is the omnipresent foe that undercuts every heartfelt pursuit by the Joads. Readers, embittered,

Capitalism, Religion and Pity: The Grapes of Wrath

enraged and incensed by the injustice and cruelty of capitalism lend themselves to sympathy and genuine concern

for the people capitalism oppresses—for the Dust Bowl farmers.

At one turn writing “…[business]men reassure themselves that business is noble and not the curious

ritualized thievery they know it is…” (155) where he likens business to “thievery” followed by “…business men are

intelligent in spite of the records of their stupidity; that they are kind and charitable in spite of the principles of

sound business; that their lives are rich instead of the thin tiresome routines they know” (155), where Steinbeck

challenges the mental, moral and physical character of capitalism’s foot soldiers—Steinbeck’s depictions of

capitalist greed is merciless. Again, Steinbeck’s bitterness permeates, leaving readers to abhor the businessmen.

Worthy of attention is the lack of any supporting proof that Steinbeck brings forth to support his contentious

statements. Though he later goes on to describe a well-off couple and their shallow personalities, this is little

impetus for any reader to agree with his views wholeheartedly. Why Steinbeck could make such provocative

statements without proof and still be believed is a result of the circumstances of the 1930s.

When The Grapes of Wrath was first published, at the end of the Great Depression, Americans were

naturally suspicious of businessmen and business, particularly bankers and the banking system as the Great

Depression was propelled largely by massive bank failures and exacerbated by a badly managed money supply. No

doubt, Americans at the time felt bitter towards America’s system of money-making and had little trouble

sympathizing with Steinbeck’s views.

Steinbeck also depicts the cruelties of capitalism, in a dramatic appeal to readers’ emotion, furthering his

cause to raise sympathy for the Joads and other Dust Bowl farmers. In one instance, more workers than required

are solicited for a job in order to fuel competition and minimize pay, resulting in wages that barely pay for food. In

another, destitute workers, whose children are dying of malnutrition, watch as oranges, potatoes and pigs are lit

on fire, slaughtered or treated with chemicals for the sake of driving prices up and making a profit. For monetary

greed, human decency is forgone—such is the stark reality that Steinbeck paints of capitalism.

These depictions would have resonated particularly in the times of the novel’s publication. The American

people understood the feeling of desperation and hunger so portrayed in the novel. By the mid 1930s, over thirty

percent of working-age Americans were unemployed—from the rich to the poor, everybody understood the pain

of hunger and madness of desperation. They reviled the feeling, and reviled the perpetrators. Steinbeck made use

Capitalism, Religion and Pity: The Grapes of Wrath

of these feelings through his depictions of capitalist cruelty; the revolt that readers feel towards it is all

instrumental in raising sympathy for the plight of the Joads and Dust Bowl farmers, the main victims of injustice in

the novel.

Just as Steinbeck creates a common evil for readers to unify against, he is also clever in establishing a

common good for readers to unify for. As capitalism is the evil, the Joads, and those affiliated (particularly Jim Casy)

are the good. Steinbeck establishes this through the portrayal of these characters through many biblical references,

which draws on the public’s devotion to Christian ideology. In the United States, Christianity has always garnered

the largest number of religious followers; this was especially true of the time, as a surge in piety rippled through

during the Great Depression. Again, Steinbeck took advantage of the times. Taking advantage of the public’s

devotion to Jesus Christ and biblical teachings, Steinbeck paralleled his characters with those from the Bible. In this

manner, he was able to raise sympathy for the Joads and those victimized by the Dust Bowl.

Jim Casy and Jesus Christ—both philosophers, both unifiers of the people, both martyrs and both people

with the initials J.C—share many similarities. Though an ex-preacher, who commits adultery—and enjoys it—drinks

and swears may at first seem far from the likes of Jesus. Yet, taken from a larger perspective, Jim Casy represents

much of what Jesus stood for. Most notably, Casy’s belief that holiness is the unification of man—in his words,

“…that is the Holy Sperit…[that] all men got one big soul ever’body’s a part of” (24)—which calls to mind Jesus’

devotion to man and his emphasis on peace and humanity between men. Like Jesus, who preaches the word of

God, Casy is a preacher of his own doctrine; he believes strongly that to be holy is to work alongside one’s fellow

people, for the common good. Like how Jesus cares for the poor and lame, Casy protects those who are oppressed;

he is an advocate for workers’ rights and is a leader for the men and women that work excruciatingly long hours

for little pay. And as Jesus dies on the cross, for the sake of mankind, Casy dies fighting for the rights of his people;

martyrs in both cases. Just as Jesus is a noble, compassionate and holy character, Casy is presented likewise.

Readers are led to admire Casy’s leadership, strength and compassion, as they similarly feel for Jesus, ultimately

evoking sympathy for Casy’s cause—for the Dust Bowl famers.

The sympathy of Christian readers is further evoked in scenes of the novel that parallel Biblical events.

The journey of Dust Bowl farmers from their fruitless fields in the Southern states to opportunity in California is a

Capitalism, Religion and Pity: The Grapes of Wrath

parallel to the exodus of Israelites from slavery in Egypt to the Promised Land. Both groups are driven out of the

land by injustice; either the greed of bankers who would rather make a profit than maintain the livelihood of a

family or the belligerence and cruelty of an Egyptian ruler. Both groups face hardships along the way; in the form

of intolerant storekeepers and policemen or the Pharaoh’s army. Steinbeck uses this biblical parallel to condemn

the actions of the bankers, storekeepers and policemen, comparing them to the cruel Egyptians; likewise,

Steinbeck uses the parallel to garner sympathy for the farmers, whose plight has an added element of holiness and

righteousness through the parallel.

Steinbeck’s referencing of biblical events in the novel doesn’t end with the characterization of Jim Casy, or

exodus of the migrant farmers. Further in the novel readers see a baby put in a box to be drifted down the river, a

la Moses, and a grief-stricken mother clasp to her bosom an emaciated man, a la the Virgin Mary. These scenes

invigorate the novel with an element of Christianity and what is associated with it: holiness. The use of ethos is

important to Steinbeck’s cause as readers who cannot identify with the hardships of the Joads—who may feel

indifference to their cause and look down on their poverty, crudeness and lack of education—will, through the

biblical references, see the holiness behind the characters and their cause, overlook their prejudices and deepen

their sympathy.

While considering the themes of capitalism and religion, it is difficult to overlook the beauty of The Grapes

of Wrath. More significant than the beauty of the vivid imagery Steinbeck paints in the novel and the poetic style

in which he writes is the beauty of the characters he portrays. Kind and pitiful, they emanate a beauty worthy of

capturing the hearts of readers, ultimately garnering sympathy for the plight of the Joads.

What warms the hearts of readers is the kindness of the Joads and other Dust Bowl farmers. Ma Joad

shares her stew with a group of hungry children, even though her family has barely enough. The Joads stop

alongside Route 66 to help a couple fix their car, delaying their own trip for the sake of two strangers. They share

their trailer with another family; cramping their own living space, when they were under no obligation to.

Illustrating Casy’s doctrine of “one big soul”, the families work together and suffer together to weather the storms.

Such selflessness and compassion appeal to the sympathy of readers who naturally feel that kindness deserves

reward; that kind people deserve better than suffering. Steinbeck contrasts the selflessness of the Joads with the

Capitalism, Religion and Pity: The Grapes of Wrath

selfishness of the Californian farmers; who are unwilling to share their land even though it’s not in use; Steinbeck

calls it “a sin and…a crime against the thin children” (240).

Steinbeck invokes the pity of readers by detailing each sad turn of the family and the hardship they face.

Rose of Sharon, pregnant with her first child, is hopeful for a bright future for him in California; she dreams of a

house for him to grow up in and an education—what all mothers want for their child. Her dreams are shattered as

the grim reality of California greets her; her family can barely afford a tent and migrants are not allowed to attend

Californian schools. Denied even the basic comforts pregnant women deserve, Rose of Sharon must work

alongside her family picking fruit. The tragedy consummates in the stillbirth of her child.

Every mother understands how precious a child in the womb is; the sadness that accompanies a stillbirth

is heart wrenching. Even without the experience of pregnancy, readers are inclined to feel sorrow for Rose of

Sharon’s dashed hopes and pity the conditions she must withstand.

Steinbeck pulls on readers’ heartstrings to elicit feelings of pity; Rose of Sharon’s pregnancy is only one

example. In another, a father pulls a precious penny from the family purse to buy a rare treat for his two boys,

whose wonder at the two sticks of candy is heartbreaking. Steinbeck does not shy from depicting other sorrows of

the migrant farmers; in another scene, a father hides his own hunger to feed his child, until he is weak from

starvation. Steinbeck portrays an overwhelming sadness in the migrants’ conditions, evoking the pity and

sympathy of readers.

Through the depiction of capitalism, biblical references and beautiful characters, Steinbeck appeals to

readers’ ethos and emotions to garner support for the plight of the Dust Bowl farmers. Though there is injustice in

the world, Steinbeck shows that one is not powerless to fight it.