Sacrifice In John Steinbeck's Grapes Of Wrath

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With the amount of courage in self sacrifice, the individual’s needs and desires are overcome to make well for the greater whole of the people. This can be seen in John Steinbeck’s Grapes of Wrath. Throughout the journey to California, the Joad family and other migrants are uprooted from their land experiencing starvation and poverty to then put their needs and desires behind themselves, bringing the migrants together to overcome their troubles for the greater good of the people. The lack of connection between the bank owners and the land causes the families to be kicked off, migrate for a better life and create bonds with each other by transcending themselves for a better life. The bank owners have no identification or connection towards …show more content…
Sacrificing one's’ needs for family became more and more prominent, but it became even more than that, the people began sacrificing one’s needs and desires not just for their family but for everyone. The believed what they do could save the greater good of the people. Jim Casey believed that putting himself behind and servicing the greater need of the people is what this entire journey meant. “ ‘Well maybe like Casy says, a fella aint got a soul of his own, but on’y a piece of a big one-an’ then-----’ “ (page 419). Tom Joad was finally able to understand what Jim Casy believed him and what he sacrificed to help the other people and the greater picture. Tom realized how he himself can serve this greater good for the people. Wherever there was trouble, he would be there experiencing and helping those around him. “Wherever they’s a fight so hungry people can eat, I’ll be there. Wherever they’s a cop beatin’ up a guy, I’ll be there. If Casy knowed...” (page 419) This quote exemplifies the transcendental views of Tom and how he gradually wanted to serve for the whole soul, not himself. By being connected with one big soul, he can experience what the others face metaphorically and spiritually be connected by focusing on the whole of the
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