While distraught and in pain, it is most likely people turn to some source of spiritual power to help them through. Steinbeck’s novel Grapes of Wrath, illustrates how migrant farmers struggle to find jobs, food and shelter to support their families. Through it all they find some relief in God, pleasures, and their own philosophical believes. Because of their social disposition they are often treated unfairly and it becomes a struggle to create a new life after being pushed off their own land. These migrant farmers find strength and comfort in their spirituality to prevail in bringing them closer and ease the pain of lonliness.
In a time where people are being stripped off their land and homes, it’s possible that their might be a lack o faith. As Jim Casey puts it “the sperit ain’t in the people much no more…” (27). It holds true for him too. Like Jesus who went out to the wilderness to “think His way out of a mess of trouble” (109), Jim Casey explains his epiphany through his own excursion in the wilderness that led him to his ideals now. A former preacher, Jim Casey questions his dedication to the religious cloth. Having committed great sins, like sleeping with girls after church, he creates a new definition to
his spirituality. He theorizes that living is what is holy and the spirit is just his love for others. He came to the conclusion that God and he “wasn’t separate no more… [they] was one thing” (110). Jim Casey was looked upon for help like God is and he aimed to help his people find their peace. This is possibly the basis he uses to lead the strike against the peach orchid owner. “Maybe all men got one big soul ever’ body’s a part of” (33), Casey says. Everybody is called to help each other through the times of struggle. After having listened to Jim Casey, Tom Joad decides to do his part in helping the migrants. “Two are better than one… for if they fall, the one will lef’ up his fellow” (570); this supports the idea that families should work together especially when stronger forces are working against them. Jim Casey expresses his frustrations with his previous ideas of praying and God. “An Almighty God never raises no wages. These here folks want to live decent…” (341). Casey is impatient and discouraged that his continuous prayers have not done any good for his beloved people; he has vowed that fixing the troubles of the migrants depend on his leadership. He realizes the injustice of their situation and is eage
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