The Grapes of Wrath: Interconnection

The Grapes of Wrath: Interconnection
In The Grapes of Wrath, by John Steinbeck, Steinbeck presents the migrant farmers of the Dustbowl Migration to the general public through the Joad family; a family whom faces discrimination and blind hate from the Californians. Steinbeck touches the subject of personal, social, and economic interconnection during that time period through the action of the Joads and the people they encounter.
The concept of individual interconnection is set into motion at the beginning of the novel and restated at the end. The source of interconnection originates from the individual and flourishes when that individual exhibits an act of compassion. Muley Graves demonstrates just that when asked if he would be sharing his food and replying with “’I ain’t got no choice in the matter” (66) and further explains “what I mean, if a fella’s got somepin to eat an’ another fella’s hungry – why, the first fella ain’t got no choice…” (66). Muley Graves’ ideology restricts him from being self-indulgent with his people. His principle epitomizes the beliefs of all the migrant farmers; the belief being that if one is in possession of another man’s need, well the humane thing to do would be to accommodate them with that need. He states that he has ‘no choice in the matter’ when in fact he does. It is only that it appears to him as having no choice as a result of the affiliation he shares with Tom and Casey. Tom and Casey are of his people, and by his social conduct he cannot leave them stranded in the dust when he has a hand in the matter. Steinbeck further develops the theme of individual interconnection by concluding the novel with “Rose of Sharon loosened one side of the blanket and bared her breast. ‘You go to,’ she said. ‘There.’ Her hand moved behind his head and supported it. Her fingers moved gently in his hair. She looked up and across the barn, and her lips came together and smiled mysteriously” (619). Rose of Sharon offers the man her milk in an effort to save his life. He is in need of food and the notion of this man’s need refers to the above stated idea that is engraved in all migrants’ blood; the idea, again being, that migrants will try to help each other out regardless of the situation. Rose of Sharon’s act of altruism is yet another stepping stone for overcoming the hate and selfishness that came the migrant’s way. Steinbeck concludes the novel with the noble act of one human being to indicate that the root of social interconnection derives from the virtuous heart of one person.
In consideration to that, social interconnection plays a major role in consolidating the migrant farmers. The idea of social interconnection emerges when Casey declares “ ‘…. Why do we got to hang it on God or Jesus? Maybe,’ I figgered, ‘maybe it’s all men an’ women we love; maybe that’s the Holy Sperit – the human sperit – the whole shebang. Maybe all men got one big soul ever’body’s a part of’” (32). The belief that all people are a part of a greater entity, that includes not only the individual but everyone else around them, allows for the development of social interconnection. By proclaiming that everybody is a part of one soul, Steinbeck is elucidating the notion that since everyone is a part of the same thing, they should therefor help each other in times of need. The assumption that they are all socially connected reinforces the belief that no one is truly alone. Steinbeck makes it clear that every single human being is equal and that in no way is anyone worth of greater value than another. He portrays the actuality of Casey’s belief by inserting the scene in where Ma offers Sairy Wilson a quilt, in replacement for the one Grampa died in, and Sairy Wilson replying “You shouldn’ talk like that. We’re proud to help. I ain’t felt so – safe in a long time. People needs – to help” (192). The kindness that the Wilsons demonstrated to the Joads and the gratitude that the Joads gave in return is the concept of everyone being a part of one soul. The kind hearts of the people is what brings the migrating families together. The instinct to help is the driving force towards social interconnection.
Although rare, positive economical interconnection did occur and it implanted a hope of optimism for the future and mankind. When the Joad family scarcely has incoming food and a group of children swarm in around Ma’s pot of stew, Ma chooses not to shoo them away. In spite of the difficult times her family faces, she maintains her tender character, acknowledging the children’s hunger by rendering “’I can’t send ‘em away . . . . I don’t know what to do. Take your plates an’ go inside. I’ll let ‘em have what’s lef’” (351). This act of compassion showcases the unity of the migrant workers. Ma Joad simply cannot watch a child starve and take no action. Despite having little to no money, the Joads’, however, continue to dispense the little that they do have. They offer a helping hand to strangers because they hear the cries of the people, and not the empty rattle of change in their pockets. The same applies to Mae, the waitress, when she sells two pieces worth of candy for a cent to a father of two young boys, only the audience later finds out that “”Them wasn’t two-for-a-cent candy . . . . Them was nickel apiece candy’” (219). The generosity of this woman demonstrates the Western peoples’ capability of ostensive benevolence. She understands that money is an issue, so she practically hands them the candy for free, in exchange to catch a glimpse of a smile on the boys’ faces. Granting the horrible state in which the economy is in, people make an effort to make the best of the condition. It is undoubtedly clear that these small acts of kindness kept a nation interconnected.
John Steinbeck emphasizes the importance of individual, social, and economical interconnection through the deeds of the Joad’s and the different people that appear in the novel. Albeit the three different aspects of interconnection being talked about, interconnection in its most simple definition states that two things are connected with each other. In The Grapes of Wrath, every human being touches the life of another human being, with great impact or little impact, and every one of their actions affects the future for generations to come, all as a result of interconnection.