Disclaimer: I very much dislike the book
How Does Jim Casey's Moral Philosophy Guide The Novel As A Whole?
Early in the novel, a young man, Tom Joad, finds Casy on the side of a street, exchanges words with him, and they become friends. Several chapters later Casy sacrifices himself for the good of Tom’s family. And not only is he the story engine that gets Tom where he needs to be, he also gives advice and philosophical help that leads Tom and his family through the rough times.
Casy is used to voice Steinbeck’s major beliefs in humanity and religion, for instance his disbelief in organized religion. Casy is characterized as a very opinionated, pure man when you consider that he is an ex-corrupt minister who committed adultery. His constant speaking of God make you think he knows something the rest of us or the rest of the characters do not. Many of Casy’s beliefs play key roles in the book’s themes, and at the same time Steinbeck uses him as a device to further us in the story of Grapes of Wrath.
Jim Casy is essentially the Jesus character in the Grapes of Wrath. Most people don’t see this since he is not the main character. Steinbeck even employs a small hint of this symbolism as his character Casy shares the same initials as Jesus Christ. This is all very interesting because Casy is someone who doesn’t believe in organized religion (but does believe in God). Casy is by far the most interesting character, mainly because he has the most diverse stories, most interesting ways to help, and most philosophical filled metaphors.
As an outspoken philosopher and a constant motivator to his fellow migrants, Casy always has something to say, never falling short on metaphorical stories and spiritual guides for his fellow Okies, especially Tom. Even after death he finds ways to help, Tom even begins to quote him to settle his family members and to point them into the right direction, “Says one time he went out in the wilderness to find his own soul, an’ he foun’ he didn’t have no soul that was his’n. Says he foun’ he jus’ got a little piece of a great big soul. Says a wilderness ain’t no good, ’cause his little piece of a soul wasn’t no good ’less it was with the rest, an’ was whole.” Says Tom in chapter 28, using Casy’s words to help his situation, even after death Casy seems to lead Tom in the right direction.
Casy begins the novel uncertain of how to use his talents as a spiritual healer. In my opinion if he had been born about 50 years later he would succeed as a very successful motivational speaker, or perhaps the leader of a cult. By the end of the novel, through all of the hardships he endured, he began using his talents and abilities’ to motivate and help. He did sacrifice himself for the Joads on two separate occasions, one sending him to jail, the other ended his life.
