Steinbeck's Philosophical Guide Book

Madison Hogan
6-7-2013
American Lit. 2

Steinbeck’s Philosophical Guide Book

In the novel, Grapes of Wrath, by John Steinbeck, the Joad Family makes the long arduous journey from the Dustbowl of Oklahoma to the promised lands of California. On their journey the family is subjected to many trials and tribulations. They witness the rampant poverty of the country and the harsh ignorance their government and industries afford them. However, throughout all these hardships, the family holds true to certain values and practices that allow them to carry on in their struggle and become part of greater community. Steinbeck conveys several philosophical theories throughout his novel through the Joad Family’s experiences.
Through Tom Joad’s character development, Steinbeck expresses the transcendental concept of the Oversoul. Tom initially presents himself as a selfish man, who acts for himself, by himself. However, as Tom accompanies his family on their migration across the country his perspective changes. An important part of Tom’s character development is Jim Casy, Tom’s foil. Jim, the town’s ex-preacher, accompanies the Joads on their journey and teaches Tom the idea that the community must come before the individual. Tom’s development culminates after Jim Casy’s death, when Tom must go into hiding where he reflects on all of Casy’s teachings. "His little piece of a soul wasn't so good 'less it was with the rest, an' was whole." (Pg. 418) Tom realizes that his own needs and wants are insignificant when compared to those of his community. He realizes that in order for his life to mean something, it must contribute to securing the needs of his people.
Agrarianism, a way of living that values one's love and respect of land, a way of living not uncommon to many of the migrant workers, or the Joads. The Joad family farmed their land for generations; they had become part of it and in turn had a strong connection to it. When forced from their land, they received a devastating blow, a one that some of them could not survive. While the Joad family prepared to leave, Grandpa held fast to his beloved earth, refusing to part with it. However, even though the family eventually got him in the car, he died shortly after leaving his land. “He’s just stayin’ with the lan’. He couldn’ leave it.” (Pg. 146) Taking Grandpa from his land was like removing some vital organ, he couldn’t go on without it, and Uncle John realizes that upon Grandpa’s death.
Pragmatism holds the belief that life should be viewed, as it is, not as how it ought to be. One sees many incidents throughout the novel, of this practical way of living. By living pragmatically, one moves along a set course, focusing on what is directly in front of them at the moment. In turn, if something does complicate or set back the situation in the present, a mere adjustment in the course is required. While the Joads exhibit this practice on their journey, we can also see it displayed in one of the novel’s intercalary chapters. “Now the going was easy, and all the legs worked and the shell boosted along… Now a light truck approached, and as it came near the driver swerved to hit it [the turtle]. His front wheel struck the edge of the shell, flipped the turtle like a tiddly-wink… Lying on it back the turtle was still for a long time. But at last its legs waved in the air… the shell pulled over and flopped upright… The turtle entered a dust road and jerked itself along… the old humorous eyes looked ahead.” (Pg.15) This chapter describes the advancement of turtle across the road, steadily working its way over, no thought of what might be there or what was behind. When the turtle is flipped off the side of the road, there is no second thought, regret, or reconsideration. He simply turns over and carries on, in a very pragmatic manner.
Humanism teaches the idea that humans have the ability to divert themselves from selfish animalistic instincts, and to make the decision to help one other. After a long day of work in the peach fields of California, Ma Joad goes to the market to buy food for dinner and she discovers the dollar that her family has collectively earned is not enough to buy her family a decent meal. She implores the shopkeeper to give her some supplies on credit, hoping for some sympathy for someone in such a poor situation. The shopkeeper can sympathize with Ma because he is just as poor as she is, only working in a different position, so he helps her by giving her some credit. "You're in trouble or hurt or need — go to the poor people. They're the only ones that'll help." (Pg. 376) Ma observes this when she leaves the store. What she had just witnessed was a true act of humanism. A man went beyond his predetermined course of action, or prior instruction, and makes a choice that would undoubtedly benefit a fellow human being. This man shows that one does not have to blindly stumble down a road that has been paved and laid out for you; one can choose to divert their own path as they see fit when it comes down to the well-being of someone of your fellow species.
Steinbeck continues to reinforce the philosophies of agrarianism, transcendentalism, pragmatism, and humanism throughout his novel in the hopes that his reader will examine his own life with respect to these schools of thought. In the time period that Steinbeck was writing this novel, many people were oblivious to the life of the poor farmer. The poor farmer valued the philosophies Steinbeck repeatedly alludes to in his book, however, many of the mid to upper class readers did not. This book is meant to encourage the reader to examine the values he or she is living their life by. Steinbeck is trying to encourage the adaption of pure values, rather than the fast-paced, arrogant and ignorant way of life so many Americans had adopted at that point. Steinbeck wanted to send a message to the population, and spur a realization of the poor of America, as well as an emotional and moral reexamination among these American people.