Power of Religion in John Steinbecks The Grapes of Wrath Essay

The spot of Religion in John Steinbecks The Grapes of Wrath John Steinbecks epic novel, The Grapes of Wrath, chronicles the struggles of the Joads as they join the thousands of fellow Okies in a mass migration westward. The Joads reluctantly emerge behind their Oklahoma farm in search of work and fare in California. While Steinbeck writes profoundly and emotionally about the political problems of the gigantic Depression, his characters also show evidence of a deep concern with spirituality. When they sense hopeless and are uncertain about their immediate future, their concentration on religion dwindles. On the other hand, when they leave their home, the Joads regain spiritual corporate trust they have something to live for California. Once they arrive and find only more(prenominal) difficulties, they lose their sense that better things are ahead of them and gravitate sticker towards thinking politically. However, they finally return to the source of their original faith--reli gion-- at their or so desperate time. One of the first characters Steinbeck introduces (after Tom Joad) is the former preacher Jim Casy, who questions his aver faith in his initial conversation with Tom Aint got the call to preach no more. Got a lot of sinful idears- entirely they seem kinda sensibleThe sperits strong in me, ony it aint the sameHere I got the sperit some measure an nonhin to preach about. I got the call to lead the people, an no place to lead em (Steinbeck 20-21). His skepticism precludes him from preaching. He still recognizes the importance of his religion, but he is no longer sure of its role in the times of hopelessness. Casy could not preach when neither he nor those to whom he preached had a purpose. When point by a goal, though, he pro... ...gles with their own faith in the midst of hunger, poverty, homelessness and loss of family are enlightening, and can inspire people who are not in that terrible situation to reconsider themselves. Work CitedSteinb eck, John. The Grapes of Wrath. New York Penguin Books, 1998. workings ConsultedConder, John J. Steinbeck and Natures Self The Grapes of Wrath. John Steinbeck, novel Critical Views. New York Chelsea nominate Publishers, 1987. 125-140.French, Warren. John Steinbeck. Boston Twayne Publishers, 1975.Levant, Howard. The Fully Matured Art The Grapes of Wrath. John Steinbeck, Modern Critical Views. New York Chelsea House Publishers, 1987. 35-62.Lojek, Helen. Jim Casy Politico of the New Jerusalem. Steinbeck Quarterly, Winter-Spring 1982. 30-37.The New American Bible, Gospel of John. 2334. New York The Catholic Press, 1976.