“The Grapes of Wrath” Discussion notes 12-18

American Transcendentalism  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  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  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  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 Theme: Anger and confusion:  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 –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  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.”  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  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  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  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  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?