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The Grapes of Wrath written by John Steinbeck is the story of the experiences of the Joad family from the time of their eviction from a farm near Sallisaw, Oklahoma to their first winter in California. In the novel, Steinbeck brings to the reader a variety of diverse and greatly significant characters. One such character is that of Jim Casey, a former preacher and long-time friend of the Joad's. In this story, Casey represents a latter-day Christ figure who brings religious stability to migrant families who is facing west. Jim Casey and Jesus have such mere coincidences, but instead of plans they put into action. One of the many similarities between Casey and Christ is that Casey had also goes out to the forests in order for the soul-search and discover the answers to some hidden questions.
In this particular situation, Casey himself states the comparison of Christ and his actions while he is at the Joad breakfast table, I been in the hills, thinkin almost you might say like Jesus went into the wilderness to think His way out of a mess of troubles (Pg. 104 ch. 8). Casey further goes on, but I got tired like Him, an I got mixed up like Him, an I went into the wilderness like Him, without no camping stuff. (Pg. 105 ch. 8) With Casey s openly admitting, without seeming conceited, that he and Jesus Christ are in some way similar, it continues to let the reader comes to realize that Casey was really meant to be the Christ figure of this book. In the chapter 20, Casey becomes a scapegoat for Tom, he said, Somebody got to take the blame. I got no kids. They ll jus put me in jail, an I ain t doin nothin but set about. (Pg. 342 Ch. 20) Which his action make the reader think that he is willing to sacrifice himself for saving the others. In Tom s heart Casey become his God, which is similarity to the Jesus saving others from sins.
Jesus helped people, Casey helped people, Jesus is willing to sacrifice himself for other, and Casey can do the same thing. Casey said but I only love people. An sometimes I love em fit to bust, an I want to make em happy. (Pg. 30 Ch. 4) For Casey s idea, he is not doing all the things for Jesus, because he doesn t know him and he doesn t love him in person, he did all the things is just for people, the people he loves and cares. This is the same idea of Jesus, he is not just saying, but actually put their words into action. Yet another similarity between Jim Casey and Jesus Christ can be seen when Casey decides to join the group which they fight for preventing their wages from falling even farther. This represents the event of Jesus Christ and his faithful disciples, traveling with him in an effort to spread their beliefs throughout the people in the country.
In addition, there were many people who wanted to follow Christ and his beliefs, yet they declined because of the fear of persecution, just as the migrant workers fear an upset of government and their action against trouble-makers which they called the Red agitators. However, the greatest significance regarding Jim Casey as a Christ figure occurs when the security officers found Casey and his followers outside the camp. An officer had killed Casey with an iron club. These events which parallels to Christ crucifixion in order to warm his followers and other people against the upper class citizens, this will be the result for against the authority.
Also, after Casey had passed away, the strike could no longer hold and the wages fell again, just as the upper class citizens began regain their power and over oppressed Christian members of society. Steinbeck clearly presents Jim Casey as a Christ figure in the first portion of the story, while further evidence is present throughout the entire novel. The author uses the character of Jim Casey as a important supporter in those migrants heart, which he gave them hope and courage to fight. Casey become the leader of strikers as the Jesus is the leader of the Christian members and they both sacrifice for their beliefs which is how to produce a happy and peaceful life.
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Research essay sample on Jim Casey Jesus Christ
