John Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath, a piece of American literature set during the Great Depression, chronicles the story of the Joads, a family that is forced out of their land and lose everything they've worked for. Despite the hardships that the migrants must go through, Steinbeck, through the words and actions of his characters, portrays how human resilience and strength can come out during a crisis.
From the start of Joads' journey to the end, Steinbeck conveys all of the difficult aspects of the journey. For most of The Grapes of Wrath, the Joad family cannot find stable jobs. If there is work to be found, the men will "kill each other fighting for that nickel" (Steinbeck 334). For meager pay, the migrants must compete among each other …show more content…
In the face of difficulty, both Ma and Casy display mental fortitude and do not give up. After getting past an agricultural inspection, Ma reveals that Granma died before the inspection and that she laid with the body for the whole night (Steinbeck 312). Displaying immense strength, Ma placed the family before her. A normal person would cower, but when the her family needed her the most, Ma pulls through with strength that came from hardship. Ma changes into a tough woman who will do anything to protect her family. Likewise, Tom also notices this change in Ma after she tells Tom about how angry she was at a policeman: "My God Ma. I knowed you when you was gentle. What's come over you?" (Steinbeck 293). From a gentle woman into someone who is close to hitting a cop, Ma's transformation could only be attributed to the harsh conditions that tested her. If Ma did not change like she did, the family would've split apart long ago. Similarly, Casy uncovers a hidden determination when he takes the blame for tripping a sheriff: "Between his guards Cast sat proudly, his head up and the stringy muscles of his neck prominent. On his lips there was a faint smile and on his face a curious look of conquest" (Steinbeck 364). Rather than being afraid or having regret, Casy decisively takes action and accepts the consequences. Casy knew what he had to do in order to save the Joads and Tom, and he took
From the start of Joads' journey to the end, Steinbeck conveys all of the difficult aspects of the journey. For most of The Grapes of Wrath, the Joad family cannot find stable jobs. If there is work to be found, the men will "kill each other fighting for that nickel" (Steinbeck 334). For meager pay, the migrants must compete among each other …show more content…
In the face of difficulty, both Ma and Casy display mental fortitude and do not give up. After getting past an agricultural inspection, Ma reveals that Granma died before the inspection and that she laid with the body for the whole night (Steinbeck 312). Displaying immense strength, Ma placed the family before her. A normal person would cower, but when the her family needed her the most, Ma pulls through with strength that came from hardship. Ma changes into a tough woman who will do anything to protect her family. Likewise, Tom also notices this change in Ma after she tells Tom about how angry she was at a policeman: "My God Ma. I knowed you when you was gentle. What's come over you?" (Steinbeck 293). From a gentle woman into someone who is close to hitting a cop, Ma's transformation could only be attributed to the harsh conditions that tested her. If Ma did not change like she did, the family would've split apart long ago. Similarly, Casy uncovers a hidden determination when he takes the blame for tripping a sheriff: "Between his guards Cast sat proudly, his head up and the stringy muscles of his neck prominent. On his lips there was a faint smile and on his face a curious look of conquest" (Steinbeck 364). Rather than being afraid or having regret, Casy decisively takes action and accepts the consequences. Casy knew what he had to do in order to save the Joads and Tom, and he took