this is the grapes of wrath one actually

1. Humanities 30-1Mr. KabachiaNovember 05, 2009Cassy Johnston2009Self Preservation and Competing Demands <br /> Ones success or achievement is a direct reflection of one’s self preservation and whether they focus on themselves, as an individualist, or others as a collectivist. In the novel The Grapes of Wrath we see that Steinbeck is very forward with the idea of not pursuing self preservation but instead work for the better of the group and in turn you will be satisfied.<br />We see that in the beginning of this novel the Joad family is forced to move from their home to California. They are being torn apart by the competing demands of looking for work and to survive. These competing demands create uncertainty among the group and therefore a higher level of self concern. This self concern creates separation and miscommunication between people and they move further and further from the group. When one is only concerned for one’s own well being and moving forward, then others are only stepping blocks on their journey to the top. If everyone is working for themselves then everyone will be climbing over everyone only to cause the whole group to fail. This self concern can be seen in the beginning of the novel by, for the most part, all the characters but specifically by Rose of Sharon. She is selfish and whiney and really brings the whole group down. Throughout the rest of the novel we see each individual change and begin to work for the collective until finally we see Rose of Sharon change. In the end she truly gives a lot, and by breast feeding the starving man she is the last to prove she is willing to be selfless and work towards surviving and making it together. <br />On the other hand there is the characters that take the situation and make the best of it, they act selflessly and forward the group. We see that in the example of Jim Casy self preservation is not as important as helping the family and keeping faith. He uses his selflessness to help the family and allow them to move forward in their journey as a family and as a group. This expulsion of self concern does not make Jim Casy week but instead makes the group as a whole stronger and Jim Casy even stronger. The event that denotes his courageous and selfless ways is when he dies in place of Tom Joad, symbolizing the way Jesus Christ died for us. This shows just how caring Jim Casy was and how devoted to the family he was. Tom is grateful for this act and soon after begins to follow in Jim Casy’s footsteps, working toward a higher goal and living a higher life. “God, I’m talkin’ like Casy. Comes of thinkin’ about him so much. Seems like I can see him sometimes.” (Page 572, Chapter 28 The Grapes of Wrath.) Ultimately Jim Casy died in peace and self fulfilled without the use of self preservation. <br />We see that that Steinbeck’s idea of self preservation and its destructive characteristics when used wrong is developed strongly in this novel. Characters turn to self preservation in times of need and sometimes they turn to preservation of the group. In this novel we see that all the characters seemed to change to an extent but for the better. They developed as a family and as a group, and I think this sense of family is what Steinbeck is trying to show us. He wants us to see just how damaging self preservation is and why working as a group is the best way to go about doing things. <br />In the end Steinbeck wants us to see that working for the better of the group and ignoring ones selfish demands will fulfill one’s self preservation without hurting others. He wants us to work together to achieve our goals instead of competing. It moves everyone together as a whole instead of everyone trying on their own. Steinbeck shows us this with the example of Jim Casy and believes that when working for others we will satisfy ourselves and that is the kind of life we should live. <br />