The Grapes of Wrath Chapter four
Good afternoon everyone! :)
Describe the characterization of Reverend Jim Casey through Steinbeck's use of exposition and dialogue.
In this chapter, we are introduced to a new character named Jim Casey and according to the text, he is an old preacher. Through Steinbeck's use of exposition and dialogue, he characterizes Jim Casey; moreover, Jim reveals his thoughts or how Jim Casey puts it "his idears." Jim Casey's past reveals his unique characterization, for example, he reasons his sins so he doesn't feel guilty. The text states, "I use ta get people talking in tongues, an' glory-shoutin' till they just fell down an' passed out... an' then you know what I'd do? I'd take one of them girls out in the grass, an' I'd lay with her..." (Steinbeck, 1996, p.22). This quote demonstrates the surprising behavior of a preacher; moreover, his characterization unfolds and the audience can see what type of person he is: disgusting. On the other hand, he states later on that he prayed and prayed for forgiveness but still laid with a girl afterward. Not only we can infer by this type of characterization that he is a person who wants to "wash his sins" away, but also a person who cannot live with the fact he laid with a girl full of the holy spirit.
Hopefully this helps!
Please add or subtract to this. I will love to hear what you guys have to say!
Thank you :)
The Grapes of Wrath Chapter 4:
ReplyDeleteHi Sonia!
I agree with your thoughts on how Steinbeck characterized Reverend Jim Casey; however, I just wanted to add to what you said.
So, through the use of exposition Casey was characterized as a lost soul. This is because when he is first being introduced to the readers he is seen laying under a tree, with his bare foot in the air, while he sings solemnly, not hearing Joad approaching. This suggests to the readers that he was lost in thought and is a bit off. Then, dialogue is also used when Casey states that he was worried that all of his messing around as a preacher actually did more harm than good. This would; hence, characterize him as one who is greatly burdened.
Thank you Sonia for sharing your comment it did help!
I would also love to hear what everyone else has to say! :)
Chapter 4 - The Grapes of Wrath Chapter #4
ReplyDeleteHi, Melany! I agree with what both you and Sonia said regarding the characterization of Reverend Jim Casey and would like to add on to it as well.
Jim seems to reminisce about his past a preacher in a rather nostalgic manner, reflecting on how he used to get by through a meaningful way of life. After he slept with an unknown woman, his views on moralities and values developed in a way that challenged traditional beliefs and values (more prominently those having to do with sociality and religion). While catching up with Tom Joad, he states that he is, "Just Jim Casey now. Ain’t got the call no more. Got a lot of sinful idears- but they seem kinda sensible” (p.14). This quote suggests that Jim questioned what he preached after defying it through a single sin, and the person who Joad is speaking to is not the same preacher he once knew. He says: “The sperit’s strong in me, on’y it ain’t the same. I ain’t so sure about a lot of things” (p.14). His initial idea of God and Holy Spirit was challenged by his opposition of social constructs - what was accepted and what was rejected- in regards to the purity of a preacher. Readers can infer that Jim is a contemplative, intuitive character that is likely to affect other characters, such as Joad, through his open discussion of how his persona has evolved over time. Joad himself learned a lot from catching up with him, and their small talk is likely to shape the next course of action Joad will take to find his family.
I tottaly agree with you guys!
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to add something I found important from the introduction of Reverend Jim Casy in chapter 4. Through his interaction with Tom Joad we learn that Casy's beliefs are starting to change from believing in God and to now believing in people and the society. "Why do we got to hang it on God or jesus? Maybe,'I figgered, maybe it's all men an' all women we love; maybe that's the Holy Sperit- the human sperit- the whole shebang"(Steinbeck, 1958, p.22). This quotes expresses Casy's new belief and mindset. He questions the existence of God and Jesus because he has never met them, however he encounters human beings in his regular day life so he assumes why not worship people he sees, knows, and love.