Any form of change is change. Once an individual changes, the world around him follows. Tom Joad matures after experiencing both submission and rebellion, and isn’t the reckless man he used to be. Both Jim Casy and Floyd notice the inhumane treatment the migrants receive, but their differing priorities define how they each solve the problem.
After the Joad family arrives at the Hooverville, Floyd speaks to Tom and gives him advice on how he should behave:
‘Well, when the cops come in, an’ they come in all a time, that’s how you wanta be. Dumb—don’t know nothin’. Don’t understand nothin’. That’s how the cops like us. Don’t hit no cops. That’s just suicide. Be bull-simple.’ (Steinbeck 248)
Floyd is mainly concerned with survival. According to …show more content…
It seems as if every time an individual decides something needs to be changed, they’re killed, and sometimes at the hands of their own people. Although it may seem pointless, Casy insists that it’s worth it. Even if you’re the only person fighting for the good of others, it’s worth it because even the slightest effort causes change, and you can’t undo change. Steinbeck uses allusion to reference famous historical figures such as George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. He’s showing that the problem the migrants have is a major turning point in history, and is not something to be underestimated. Jim Casy used to be a preacher, and he felt responsible for the souls of others. His actions as a striker reflect his earlier idea that all humans are part of a single soul. Casy doesn’t love Jesus but he does love humans and will do anything to make them happy. Casy desperately wants the migrants inside the ranch to realize the sacrifice the strikers are making for them. He wants all the migrants to act as one, but tragically he dies before he can see his dream come true. However, his death was not in vain. His morals live on in Tom Joad, who has metamorphosed since the beginning of the novel. Tom used to be a live-in-the-moment person, and only thought of his own gain. He persuaded the truck driver to give him a ride although the driver would risk losing his job. He insisted he would kill again in the blink of an eye because he
After the Joad family arrives at the Hooverville, Floyd speaks to Tom and gives him advice on how he should behave:
‘Well, when the cops come in, an’ they come in all a time, that’s how you wanta be. Dumb—don’t know nothin’. Don’t understand nothin’. That’s how the cops like us. Don’t hit no cops. That’s just suicide. Be bull-simple.’ (Steinbeck 248)
Floyd is mainly concerned with survival. According to …show more content…
It seems as if every time an individual decides something needs to be changed, they’re killed, and sometimes at the hands of their own people. Although it may seem pointless, Casy insists that it’s worth it. Even if you’re the only person fighting for the good of others, it’s worth it because even the slightest effort causes change, and you can’t undo change. Steinbeck uses allusion to reference famous historical figures such as George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. He’s showing that the problem the migrants have is a major turning point in history, and is not something to be underestimated. Jim Casy used to be a preacher, and he felt responsible for the souls of others. His actions as a striker reflect his earlier idea that all humans are part of a single soul. Casy doesn’t love Jesus but he does love humans and will do anything to make them happy. Casy desperately wants the migrants inside the ranch to realize the sacrifice the strikers are making for them. He wants all the migrants to act as one, but tragically he dies before he can see his dream come true. However, his death was not in vain. His morals live on in Tom Joad, who has metamorphosed since the beginning of the novel. Tom used to be a live-in-the-moment person, and only thought of his own gain. He persuaded the truck driver to give him a ride although the driver would risk losing his job. He insisted he would kill again in the blink of an eye because he