"We" Theme in Grapes of Wrath

The importance of the "we" theme throughout the novel is demonstrated many times in Steinbeck's Grapes of Wrath. The Joads were only capable of making it to California, and continue living on, by sticking together. Ma Joad said many times that it was okay to lose anything besides the family that everything would always be all right as long as they still had each other. Casy had also reinforced this theme by being "a man of the people," throughout the story. After his time in the wilderness, he had discovered that humans did not have individual souls, but that we were all part of one great soul. All of these instances encourage the importance of helping one another, whether family or stranger. The "we" theme is exemplified through the importance of togetherness throughout the entire novel by all the episodes in which people were only capable of carrying on due to the help of others. The saving power of family and friendship held great significance in the novel. Through the many hardships the Joads endured on their journey to California, there were many times when members of the family had wanted to leave. However, Ma Joad, the citadel of the family, knew how vital it was for everyone to stay together. She says, "All we got is the family unbroke...I ain't scared while we're all here, all that's alive, but I ain't gonna see us bust up." Even when Rose of Sharon had mentioned dreaming of moving out with Connie, Ma had asked, "Ain't you gonna stay with us, the family?" Ma Joad could not stand to see the family fall apart, knowing that the only thing keeping them together were each other. Steinbeck shows Ma's heartache when she heard that Noah left the family when she said, "Ma was silent a long time. 'Family's fallin' apart. I don't know. Seems like I can't think no more." In the family's hour of darkness, Ma emerged as their savior. During a crisis, some people run away, some step aside to become followers, but Ma had been brave enough to step up and lead.