What Does Jim Casy Represent In The Grapes Of Wrath

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In The Grapes of Wrath, Steinbeck depicts the great struggle for the people during the Dust Bowl. One way he shows the struggle, purpose, or true feeling of his characters by describing the character eyes. Jim Casy is one of those character’s that Steinbeck describes the eyes to show the true feelings. Steinbeck first introduces Casy has a conflicted ex-preacher that is trying to find new purpose in his life without lying to anyone. From this first induction of Casy we see from his eyes the transformation he goes through during his time to find himself. Steinbeck describes Casy eyes to show at first confliction, then happiness, and finally holiness. Jim Casy is introduced with confliction and guilt because of his wrong doing as a preacher. Casy inner turmoil came about because he was preaching to the people about the word of god but afterwards he will sleep with girls in the grass. Furthermore Casy is burdened with the fact that he lied to the people by telling them what is right and wrong. “His eyeballs were heavy and protruding” (Steinbeck 19). The heaviness of his shows how much he is punishing himself for deceiving the people about what he believes in. Tom Joad helps Casy out of his turmoil and that will help him to find happiness and his purpose in life. Jim Casy realized that great joy in life is to be with the people or more exactly one of …show more content…

Tom looks at Casy and knows he is supposed to be a preacher. Also Ma sees that holiness in him and immediately thinks his a preacher. “Watch the look in his eye, said Ma. He looks baptized.” (Steinbeck 93). Casy wants to be among the people like Jesus did. The people listen to Jim Casy speak like they did in Jesus times. Therefore everyone see holiness through his eyes that make them interested in what he has to say. At this time of the dust bowl, people will low and need Casy to do holy acts and provide wisdom. Casy provides these things for the Joad