“The Grapes of Wrath”
Discussion notes 12-18
American Transcendentalism
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A further look
Ralph Waldo Emerson proclaimed a form of
transcendentalism whose genesis was in his
abiding belief that each person could be in touch
with the god within, as well as with the divine
currents of the universe.
Emerson looked for primary truth in the
fundamental nature of the human mind. We have
more in the mind than enters it through the
senses.
In his essay “Self Reliance” he asserts one of
transcendentalism’s fundamental tenets: the
dignity, the ultimate sanctity, of each human
being.
American Transcendentalism
 It’s
murky, though.
 Transcendentalism’s commitment to
the individual is a commitment to the
soul or spirit that each person
possesses in common with all other
human beings.
 “There is one mind common to all
individual men.”
American Transcendentalism
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That means there is a social imperative, too:
autonomous individuals cannot exist apart from
others.
As we noted, there is a fundamental unity, a
basic similarity, in all human experience, which is
more important than the many obvious
differences.
This gives every human a sense of responsibility
of self-esteem; everyone is part of something
much bigger than themselves.
He called this being part of the “Oversoul.”
Who does that sound like in The Grapes of
Wrath?
Transcendentalism
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Casy
“Why do we got to hang
it on God or Jesus?
Maybe, I figgered,
maybe it’s all men an’
all women we love;
maybe that’s the Holy
Sperit – the human
sperit – the whole
shebang. Maybe all men
got one big soul
ever’body’s a part of.’
Discussion notes: Chapters 12-14
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The Joads, perhaps
subconsciously, have begun
to follow Casy’s spiritual
vision. Their merger with the
Wilsons shows this:
– When the Wilsons open
their tent to the Joads,
they are saying,
“Welcome, brothers and
sisters.”
– Mrs. Wilson answers Ma’s
thanks for help by saying:
“People [have the need] to
help. Ma later replies:
“You can’t let help go
unwanted.”
Discussion notes: chapters 12-14
Theme: Anger and confusion:
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Anger, in many guises, dominates the book, and
Steinbeck warns of this in Chapter 14:
– Californians’ fear of the migrants turns to anger: “Keep
two men apart; make them hate, fear, suspect each
other.”
– If you don’t, then “I lost my land” is changed: a cell is
split, and from its splitting grows the thing you hate:
“We lost our land.”
– The danger is here, for two men are not as lonely and
perplexed as one. And from this first “we,” there grows
a still more dangerous thing:
– “I have a little food” + “I have none” = “We have a little
food.”
Discussion notes: Chapters 12-14
– This spontaneous
sharing is seen when
the Wilsons offer their
tent for Grandpa to die
in; Mrs. Wilson gives up
a quilt to bury him in;
she tears a page from
her Bible for Tom to
write a eulogy on.
– Ma then pledges to care
for Mrs. Wilson, and Pa
later says, “We almost
got a [family] bond.”
– “I” becomes “We.”
Discussion notes: Chapters 15-18
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By chapter 17, the migrant
families develop certain
expectations as a society:
– Rules, rights, and customs
are developed.
– “They shared their lives,
their food, and the things
they hoped for in the new
country…twenty families
became one family, the
children were the children
of all.”
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Again, “I” shifts to “We”
No one tells each other
what they have to do.
They do it because their
survival depends on it.
Discussion notes: Chapters 15-18
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Allusion: reference to a
person, event, place, or
phrase outside of a story
that the writer assumes
the reader will recognize.
An allusive reference can
be real or fictional.
A literary allusion refers to
another written work, art
piece, book, etc.
By chapter 18, when the
Joads cross the desert into
California, we see Biblical
allusions galore.
Discussion notes: Chapters 15-18
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Steinbeck enlarges the significance of his Okies’
experiences by associating them with those of
the Israelites (the chosen people) in the Old
Testament, and, thus, suggesting their human
and historical significance.
Although not formally divided as such, the novel
falls into three parts.
The drought and dispossession in Oklahoma
(chapters 1-11): corresponds to the oppression
and bondage of the Israelites in Egypt.
The journey on Route 66 (chapters 12-18):
corresponds to their Exodus and wandering into
the wilderness.
The arrival in California (chapters 19-30):
corresponds to their entrance into the Land of
Canaan.
Discussion notes: Chapters 15-18
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Other parallels:
– The plagues in Egypt: the drought in
Oklahoma.
– Egyptian oppressors: the bank officials.
– Hostile Canaanites: hostile Californians
(“goddamned Okies”).
– The “Promised Land” in both instances is first
viewed from a mountaintop (chapter 18 in the
novel).
– 12 tribes of Israel: 12 members of the Joad
family (counting Connie).
The Grapes of Wrath: Exam 2
preview
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Identify instances where we see the shift from “I” to “We.”
Recognize how this connects to Transcendentalism. Review the
PowerPoint notes.
Particularly re-visit
– Chapter 17: Review the “society” that sets up nightly on the
road: the rules, the customs, the punishments, etc.
– Chapter 18: The conversation between Sairy Wilson and Casy
before the families separate.
Would you generally know about:
Mae, the waitress at the diner (chapter 15) and what happens
there?
The one-eyed man at the junkyard, how Tom reacts to him, and
Tom and Al’s purpose for going there (chapter 16)?
The declining number of Joads?