Homosexuality In The Grapes Of Wrath, By James

Throughout this novel, James is being questioned by his parents on his sexuality. His parents are relating his antisocial behaviour with James being uncertain of his sexuality, early in the novel, his father equates James’ choice of ordering pasta for lunch to a lack of masculinity. He claims that steak is something a man would order while pasta is something “faggy.” He says, “It's just that we've never talked about your sexuality, and if you are gay, I want to be properly supportive.” (31). Although James’ father claims he would be supportive of James, James dodges giving any answers or hints that he is gay.
In the story James creates a fake profile on an online dating website to pull what he later claims to be a joke, on his colleague John. …show more content…
He wants nothing more than to keep away from people his age, and move from the hectic city of New York, to a quiet city in the midwest. He would rather keep to himself than socialize with someone else, and he does not want pity from anyone for this, because he feels like there is nothing to feel pity for, “ This is something i really hate...when people react to your being alone as some kind of problem for them.” (115). He is not completely solitary, there are two people whose company he actually enjoys, his grandmother, and his coworker John, who are both not in his age group. It's James’ lack of any relationships with people his age that worries his parents in the first place, and one of the main reasons a therapist is hired for him. His parents do not understand that loneliness is something that James aims for. James remains aloof when talking to most people, and his psychiatrist makes him aware of this, “ You make it very difficult for people to talk to you, sometimes. Often, in fact. You create obstacles.” “ Because I don't want people to talk to me” (124). Not only does James like being alone, but he will also behave in a distant manner for the purpose of keeping people away from him, this is juxtaposed with his desperate attempt at trying to grow closer to John, who James completely alienated. When James initially receives news from his sister that his future roommate, Jordan, from Brown University has called him and would like to get together, James makes it clear that he has no intention of calling him back. Still, Jordan persists, and after some nudges from his mother and sister, James picks up the phone and ignites a new friendship. While his relationship with John may have concluded, a new one