In The Story, The Grapes Of Wrath, By John Steinback, There Are Many E
xamples of togetherness and guidance. There is a small amount of individualism in the story, but there is more acts of kindness and warmth, than any displays of independence. The Joad family acts as a whole unit instead of many individuals. They help and assist others in need, even though they are in need as well. They would rather suffer themselves than for someone else to undergo suffering and endless pain. They would give up anything they have for someone to be happy and at peace. The Joad family is very loving, helpful, and does not show any signs of selfishness or greed.
While the Joad family is on their journey to the west, they do not have much food or money, but they still did anything to help others out. For example, one day they saw another family on the side of the road and stopped to help them. They ended up taking the family and making an even larger family unit by combining the families. Each member associated and talked to one other, which made the time they were all together pleasant and helpful. They all used each other’s knowledge to help them along with their journey. Even though both families had never met during their life, they came together and helped each other out in times of need.
Another genuine characteristic of the Joad family, is their sense of putting themselves in danger before others. A family member would rather be hurt or in danger themselves, than for their loved ones to be in trouble. An example of this trait is when Ma rebels once Tom and Casy said they’d stay and let the family go on. She said that if she went, then they would have to beat her to go, because she was not going to let the family split apart. This shows her great concern for the family to stay together and how she will inflict pain upon herself in order for happiness.
Throughout the journey, they find out they do not have enough money or food and times are really tough for them. However, they are still very giving people and has a desire to help the strangers that accompanied them along the trip. Once the Wilson’s depart from the Joad family to go their own way along the trail, they offer to give them some money and food. However, the Wilson’s said they could not accept it, even though they were in desperate need. They knew the Joad’s did not have much money as well and did not want to take it from their family. Even after this, Ma and Pa Joad laid out two dollars and some pork for the Wilson’s. This shows that the Joad’s are willing to give up what they have for someone else. Even if it means they have to starve, it does not bother them and they will go out of their way to assist others in need. In this story, the Joad family was very polite and helpful to others. Even though they did not have much money or food, they definitely had a sense of helpfulness and genuine caring for others. They helped the Wilson family, who was in need of guidance, by traveling along with them and giving them food and money. The Joad’s also put others before themselves and tried the best they could to assist their friends who were once strangers. All of these examples of aide are strong evidence that this book is not about individualism, but the simple act of being there for others.
