Religion

‘Je-sus is my Saviour’

(introduction- Casy singing)

-          Image of the first encounter with Jim Casy (JC)- he is singing a religious tune-

-          Steinbeck conveys the element that the role of religion is superficiality being drawn on in times of need

-          JC is no longer religious, but the idea is so engrained that he passively takes part

Steinbeck uses JC to introduce the superficiality of religion BUT he is also the one who RECOGNISES the superficiality of religion- therefore acting as a mouthpiece for Rickett’s views.

“The two of you come to Jesus at once ‘cause of the pigtail yankin’. Baptised both of you in the irrigation ditch at once. Fightin’ an’ yellin’ like a couple of cats.”

Baptism- should be an important ceremony of faith, rebirth, however, in their society it is undermined & superficial & informalized

‘The sperit ain’t in the people much no more.’

-          Impression that the spirit is moving with the time

The spirit should be a continual source of stability & support through-out hardship.

‘It’s like me’

-          By comparing JC to the wild Turtle, Steinbeck is highlighting Jc rejection of societal religion

-          The simile & comparison also mirrors how JC is starting to associate himself with the land

-          JC couldn’t accept scripture for what it was & noticed it’s flaws.

-          By rejecting (organised & societal) religion, he returns to the land,

-          recognising the falsehood, JC undergoes a moral transformation, already thinking philosophically.

‘I got the call to lead people, an’ no place to lead’em.’

-          He recognises there is something, but it isn’t tangible to him now

Steinbeck is introducing & laying the foundation for the character who will undergo a moral & philosophical ephinay that will have a domino effect

‘maybe it ain’t sin.’

-          Casy rejects & undermines fundamental Christian values & binary

-          He recognises morality cannot be forced

-          In Baptist states there is definitive morality- however, JC rejects the social religion & the constraint it imposes

-          People are human & live e.g. Jesus in the New Testament

‘I don’t know nobody name’ Jesus. I know a bunch of stories, but I only love people.’

-          Without religion he is lost, but he does know love. Introduction to ‘OVERSOUL’

-          The figure of Jesus is intangible- but he does feel love for people

-          The message of the whole novel: Love for our community

Everything we do comes from a sense of love.

Casy suggested elaborately, “Maybe Tom’ll kill the fatted calf like for the prodigal in Scripture.”

Even when religion is not active active part of people’s lives, there is still an element of it so entrenched in them

the prodigal son story from bible

‘God knows’

-          The religious system is used as an excuse

-          The finality & unavoidable fate

(link to West being unfarmable)

‘road under Doctor Eckleburg’s persistent stare’

Immorality is so normalised, it is not secretive

‘Have you got a church you go to sometimes George?’

v  Absence of religion

Wilson is alone in this world- no wife, money, God

God sees everything’ repeated Wilson ‘That’s an advertisement.’ Michaelis assured him.

·       FG Commenting that he unknowingly associated capitalism & advertising with God- lack of religion is replaced by advertising

·       Associate God with Capitalism

·       Both Wilson & Gatsby are doomed as they rely on a system that doesn’t exist

·       Notion of how Wilson has done everything he has supposed to fo but lacks reward & justice- hinted at his reliance on capitalism

·       Trying to take matter of justice into his own hands- but penultimately kills the wrong man- never gets justice as the Dream doesn’t exist

What they are building their precent on of success on something that doesn’t exist

‘but he shook his head and in a moment disappeared among the yellowing trees’

Chauffeur asking Gatsby if he needed help with the mattress

·       Gatsby = Christ- Christ has to carry the cross- he struggles but rejects any help- shoulders the burden

·       Materialistic- uses wealth to fill time- lack of actual connection & help-takes his own things to the pool & shoulders his own burden- prioritised materialistic over human emotion & connection

·       Baptism- baptism in water- purging of sins & cleansing- Gatsby expireneces rebirth in water with Dan Cody as well as death

·       Gatsby is losing hope & being reborn- Jay Gatsby is now dying

·       He is dead surrounded b yhis own sin- never reborn as he never emerges

The erasion of the creation of Jay Gatsby

Context

Religion:

-          Associated with Capitalisim, forcing working to comply with the ‘cycle’

-          Religion subjugates the working class

-          Religion has been undermined into an organised, societal and Christian system that subjugate individuals

Oversoul

-          The Oversoul, introduced by Ralph Waldo Emerson, is the idea that all people share a single, universal soul that unites humanity. Emerson believed individuals are spiritually connected and motivated by a shared divine force — often called the Emersonian Oversoul.

-          In The Grapes of Wrath, this idea is reflected through Jim Casy’s belief that there is “one big soul” connecting all people, reinforcing the strength found in unity. This aligns with American Transcendentalism, which promotes faith in common people and self-reliance.

-          The survival of the human life force is symbolised by the land turtle and echoed in Ma’s statement, “We’re the people — we go on,” emphasising collective endurance.

-          Tom Joad’s development represents a blend of rugged individualism and collective responsibility. His strong individual nature evolves into a commitment to social justice for all, physically expressing the Oversoul concept.

-          This contrasts with the extreme individualism seen in The Great Gatsby, where identity is carved out separately from society. The Oversoul instead stresses unity over isolation.

-          The concept appears widely across American literature and is foundational to Transcendentalist thought.

-        Humanism

-          Humanism in The Grapes of Wrath is shown through characters shifting from religious-based belief systems to a philosophy centred on humanity.

-          Steinbeck promotes the idea that love for all people — expressed through democracy — should guide decision-making. Freedom of choice and collective action are driven by compassion and concern for others rather than strict religious doctrine.

-        Pragmatism

-          Pragmatism is the belief that life should be viewed realistically — as it is, not as it ought to be. It encourages living in the moment and responding based on personal judgment rather than religious or moral absolutes.

-          Tom begins as a pragmatist, focused on survival (“lay [his] dogs down one at a time”). Ma also demonstrates pragmatism, adapting her actions to keep the family together regardless of circumstances.

-          Casy abandons abstract religious ideas and formal prayer, embracing a more practical, experience-based outlook — especially evident in his speech at Grandpa’s grave.

-          Steinbeck balances pragmatic philosophy with the lived experiences of the Okies and migrant workers, showing how survival often depends on adaptability and realistic thinking.

Critics

“America is a nation called to a special destiny by God.”_ Conrad Cherry

“Casy the preacher must be strongly developed as a thoughtful, well-rounded character. Must show quickly the developing of a questing mind and leadership.”- Steinbeck

Casy has a “loss of conventional faith and its reinvention in the brother hood of man”- Stephen Fender

me: Casy doesn’t abandon religion, just organised, societal religion, as he maintain the Christian values- particularly love for eachother.