Steinbeck reminds us that while life can force people to abandon religion even in dire straits, people will cling to their core values.
Throughout the novel, characters learn that the loss of religion does not equate to the loss of spirituality. The retention of such spirituality brings forth ideas of self, which helps us maintain our values. Jim Casy, a very spiritual preacher, makes his opinion on the matter clear by exclaiming that "'there ain't no sin and there ain't no virtue. There's just stuff people do. It's all part of the same thing'" (23). Casy abandons his monotheistic preachings, claiming that the actions of others have caused him to struggle. He denies the existence of true virtue and sin, expressing how these categories are meaningless in comparison to the action and its consequences. While having left the word of God briefly, his core beliefs remain close to his initial religious teachings. He declares that although an action may not be sinful or virtuous, it has a consequence. When the banks had repossessed farming lands, the people of Oklahoma suffered. The preacher discusses how the banks have …show more content…
Jim Casy highlights how maintaining vestiges of religion and dignity shows the value such faith can have in keeping people going. Casy expresses how he wishes to help others who face the Westward movement. He wishes to "preach again. Folks out lonely on the road, folks with no lan', no home to go to. They got to have some kind of home" (6.108). Casy believes that travelers can find “home” in his preaching. Steinbeck vocalizes the importance of God when we face challenges by writing that God gives us a sense of worth, home, and keeps us from being lonely. Casy’s remark is also a reflection on the Joads’ westward travels. He implies that the Joads would have had a far more successful trip if they’d stayed with religion during their journey.
Throughout the novel, characters learn that the loss of religion does not equate to the loss of spirituality. The retention of such spirituality brings forth ideas of self, which helps us maintain our values. Jim Casy, a very spiritual preacher, makes his opinion on the matter clear by exclaiming that "'there ain't no sin and there ain't no virtue. There's just stuff people do. It's all part of the same thing'" (23). Casy abandons his monotheistic preachings, claiming that the actions of others have caused him to struggle. He denies the existence of true virtue and sin, expressing how these categories are meaningless in comparison to the action and its consequences. While having left the word of God briefly, his core beliefs remain close to his initial religious teachings. He declares that although an action may not be sinful or virtuous, it has a consequence. When the banks had repossessed farming lands, the people of Oklahoma suffered. The preacher discusses how the banks have …show more content…
Jim Casy highlights how maintaining vestiges of religion and dignity shows the value such faith can have in keeping people going. Casy expresses how he wishes to help others who face the Westward movement. He wishes to "preach again. Folks out lonely on the road, folks with no lan', no home to go to. They got to have some kind of home" (6.108). Casy believes that travelers can find “home” in his preaching. Steinbeck vocalizes the importance of God when we face challenges by writing that God gives us a sense of worth, home, and keeps us from being lonely. Casy’s remark is also a reflection on the Joads’ westward travels. He implies that the Joads would have had a far more successful trip if they’d stayed with religion during their journey.