The Grapes of Wrath Kindness and Humanity Quotes

"Sometimes a guy’ll be a good guy even if some rich bastard makes him carry a sticker."

– John Steinbeck

The Grapes of Wrath, Chapter 2. Tom Joad cleverly attempts to guilt the truck driver into giving him a ride. He challenges him to be the "good guy" and defy his "rich bastard" employer’s "No Riders" sticker instruction on the truck’s windshield. In other words the driver will be a bad guy if he doesn’t. Tom is appealing to the driver’s sense of humanity and decency. He is also suggesting that working class "good guys" like them should stand together against the rich and powerful "bad guys."

He knew he was being trapped, but he couldn’t see a way out. And he wanted to be a good guy. He glanced again at the restaurant. "Scrunch down on the running board till we get around the bend," he said.

– John Steinbeck

The Grapes of Wrath, Chapter 2. After first refusing a lift because of the "No Riders" sicker on the truck, the driver decides to disobey the company rule not to pick up passengers. In agreeing to give Tom a ride, the driver finds common cause with Tom’s fiercely independent spirit, by offering two fingers to the establishment – his employer. He doesn’t wish to be seen as a company tool. Instead he decides at Tom’s prompting to take the side of the common people and show kindness to the hitchhiker at the risk of losing his job.

She saw the turtle and swung to the right, off the highway, the wheels screamed and a cloud of dust boiled up.

– John Steinbeck

The Grapes of Wrath, Chapter 3. A woman sedan driver shows her humanity when she spares the turtle’s life by swinging to the right off the highway to avoid hitting it. The car is personified here – "the wheels screamed." It should also be pointed out that the woman’s kindness is in stark contrast to the male driver who soon after tries to run down the turtle. Vulnerable migrants like the Joads will also meet compassionate people on their epic journey west to California, as foreshadowed by this passage.

Some of the owner men were kind because they hated what they had to do, and some of them were angry because they hated to be cruel, and some of them were cold because they had long ago found that one could not be an owner unless one were cold. And all of them were caught in something larger than themselves. Some of them hated the mathematics that drove them, and some were afraid, and some worshiped the mathematics because it provided a refuge from thought and from feeling.

– John Steinbeck

The Grapes of Wrath, Chapter 5. Steinbeck criticizes the capitalist trap which landowners are caught in, compelling them to evict tenants from uneconomical farms. Some owners are said to be kind and even angry at having to do this, making them appear human. But others learn to be cold, making them appear inhumane. But all have one thing in common: they have to evict people from their homes because of the capitalist economic system.

"I ain’t got no choice…if a fella’s got somepin to eat an’ another fella’s hungry – why, the first fella ain’t got no choice."

– John Steinbeck

The Grapes of Wrath, Chapter 6. Muley Graves decides that he must share his meal with Tom Joad and Jim Casy. Muley is a subscriber to Casy’s theory that we are all part of one great community of love. Muley offering to share his food with others stands in stark contract to the tractor driver, who feeds his family at the expense of others going hungry.

"He’s all the time makin’ it up to somebody – givin’ kids stuff, droppin’ a sack a meal on somebody’s porch. Give away about ever’thing he got, an’ still he ain’t very happy."

– John Steinbeck

The Grapes of Wrath, Chapter 8. Tom Joad explains to Jim Casy why his Uncle John is so unhappy. He neglected to call a doctor for his wife’s stomach ache and she died of a burst apprendix the next day. Ever since Uncle John has been trying to atone for his "sin" with acts of kindness to others.

"Never wanted to get close to folks. Wanted to be off alone. I never seen a kid that wasn’t crazy about him. He’d come to our house in the night sometimes, an’ we knowed he’d come ’cause jus’ as sure as he come there’d be a pack a gum in the bed right beside ever’ one of us. We thought he was Jesus Christ Awmighty."

– John Steinbeck

The Grapes of Wrath, Chapter 8. Uncle John cuts a sad and lonely figure in the novel. But he is also big-hearted, as Tom Joad explains to Jim Casy. Uncle John carries around the guilt of ignoring his pregnant wife’s complaint of a stomach ache and not calling a doctor. Since her death from a burst appendix, Uncle John has been giving things to people to make up, like bringing sweets to the kids.

"Ma, there’s a coupla fellas jus’ come along the road, an’ they wonder if we could spare a bite."
Tom heard his mother’s voice, the remembered cool, calm drawl, friendly and humble. "Let ’em come," she said. "We got a’plenty."

– John Steinbeck

The Grapes of Wrath, Chapter 8. Ma Joad’s kind-heartedness and willingness to help out strangers is evident from the moment we meet her in the novel. Here Pa Joad tells her that a couple of men have arrived to the door looking for food. When she immediately offers them nourishment and comfort, she is not aware that they are her son Tom and Jim Casy. The theme of gender roles is also explored here, as Pa Joad asks his wife’s permission to take them in – Ma very soon takes over leadership of the Joad family.

Ma was heavy, but not fat; thick with child-bearing and work. She wore a loose Mother Hubbard of gray cloth in which there had once been colored flowers, but the color was washed out now, so that the small flowered pattern was only a little lighter gray than the background. The dress came down to her ankles, and her strong, broad, bare feet moved quickly and deftly over the floor. Her thin, steel-gray hair was gathered in a sparse wispy knot at the back of her head. Strong, freckled arms were bare to the elbow, and her hands were chubby and delicate, like those of a plump little girl. She looked out into the sunshine. Her full face was not soft; it was controlled, kindly.

– John Steinbeck

The Grapes of Wrath, Chapter 8. When the Joads are forced from their home and have to migrate west in search of a better life, it is soon clear that Ma Joad is the rock that binds the family together. In this physical description of her, the power and strength of her character shine through. Note the use of words like "strong" and "delicate" and "soft" and "controlled" and "kindly." In a challenge to traditional gender roles, she is described in almost a masculine way. She is depicted as a natural leader, strong yet nurturing ahd mothering, determined yet kindly and selfless.

Without turning his head he asked, "Kin we, Ma?"
"It ain’t kin we? It’s will we? It’s will we?" she said firmly. "As far as ‘kin,’ we can’t do nothin’, not go to California or nothin’; but as far as ‘will,’ why, we’ll do what we will. An’ as far as ‘will’ – it’s a long time our folks been here and east before, an’ I never heerd tell of no Joads or no Hazletts, neither, ever refusin’ food an’ shelter or a lift on the road to anybody that asked. They’s been mean Joads, but never that mean."

– John Steinbeck

The Grapes of Wrath, Chapter 10. The Joads are discussing whether or not Jim Casy should be allowed to travel with the them to California. Pa Joad defers to Ma, who overrules him and asserts herself as the family’s equal decision-maker to Pa. Ma’s great strength and also her kindness are on display here. She speaks of the Joads’ history of hospitality to others and reminds the family that it is not a question of "can we" but "will we."

The people in flight from the terror behind – strange things happen to them, some bitterly cruel and some so beautiful that the faith is refired forever.

– John Steinbeck

The Grapes of Wrath, Chapter 12. This is an example of hope and kindness and perseverance on Highway 66. We are told a beautiful story of a stranded family of twelve forced off their land and possessing only a trailor with no motor to pull it. As they wait by the side of the road for a lift, a sedan with a trailor picks them up. They make it to California in "two jumps" and the man who pulls them feeds them. The power of community togetherness is also illustrated here.

Pa said, "We’re thankful to you folks."
"We’re proud to help," said Wilson.
"We’re beholden to you," said Pa.
"There’s no beholden in a time of dying," said Wilson, and Sairy echoed him, "Never no beholden."

– John Steinbeck

The Grapes of Wrath, Chapter 13. Ivy and Sairy Wilson offer dignity and a deathbed to the dying Grampa Joad. The Wilsons are selfless and kind people who believe in supporting other families in a time of need. They take Grampa into their tent and lay him on a mattress as he suffers a stroke.

Al said, "I’ll fix your car – me an’ Tom will." And Al looked proud that he could return the family’s obligation.

– John Steinbeck

The Grapes of Wrath, Chapter 13. Al Joad offers to repair the Wilsons’ car so that they can make it to California. This is in return for the Wilson family’s help in offering dignity and a deathbed to the dying Grampa Joad. One act of generosity inspires another in return, as two migrant families demonstrate the power of unity and community togetherness.

"We’re proud to help. I ain’t felt so – safe in a long time. People needs – to help."

– John Steinbeck

The Grapes of Wrath, Chapter 13. We see the power of the community at work in Sairy Wilson’s words, as migrant families help one another in death. Here Grampa Joad has just died. Sairy and Ivy Wilson have provided a mattress in their tent for the dying Grampa, and when he dies they help with the funeral by allowing their quilt to be used as a shroud. Ma Joad promises to replace this for them. Sairy Wilson shows her humanity in a novel that has its fair share of inhumanity.

Little worried men, reassure themselves that business is noble and not the curious ritualized thievery they know it is; that business men are intelligent in spite of the records of their stupidity; that they are kind and charitable in spite of the principles of sound business; that their lives are rich instead of the thin tiresome routines they know; and that a time is coming when they will not be afraid any more.

– John Steinbeck

The Grapes of Wrath, Chapter 15. Steinbeck denounces dishonorable businessmen who meet in clubs to lie to themselves that what they do is noble – that they are not corrupt, don’t steal and are kind and charitable. By contrast Steinbeck extols the virtues of the humble and dignified Okie migrants, their honorableness, morality and kindness.

"Yeah! But how much am I gonna give you for this here?"
"’Bout a buck, I guess."
"Awright, an’ I’ll give ya a quarter for this here socket wrench. Make it twice as easy." He handed over the silver. "Thank ya. An’ cover up that goddamn eye."

– John Steinbeck

The Grapes of Wrath, Chapter 16. Many people that the Joads have been meeting are quick to exploit them and take advantage of their desperate circumstances. But in a junkyard Tom and Al come across a one-eyed disgruntled employee who shows them a kindness. He offers them the parts they need for the broken down car at a knockdown price.

A jackrabbit got caught in the lights and he bounced along ahead, cruising easily, his great ears flopping with every jump. Now and then he tried to break off the road, but the wall of darkness thrust him back. Far ahead bright headlights appeared and bore down on them. The rabbit hesitated, faltered, then turned and bolted toward the lesser lights of the Dodge. There was a small soft jolt as he went under the wheels. The oncoming car swished by.
"We sure squashed him," said Casy.
Tom said, "Some fellas like to hit ’em. Gives me a little shakes ever’ time."

– John Steinbeck

The Grapes of Wrath, Chapter 16. Tom Joad accidentally hits a jackrabbit after he takes over the driving of the truck from Al. He tells Jom Casy that he doesn’t like hitting rabbits, but some other people do. The animal symbolizes people like the migrants who are in a struggle to survive. Some enjoy making them suffer, while others show compassion towards them.

The cars of the migrant people crawled out of the side roads onto the great cross-country highway, and they took the migrant way to the West. In the daylight they scuttled like bugs to the westward; and as the dark caught them, they clustered like bugs near to shelter and to water. And because they were lonely and perplexed, because they had all come from a place of sadness and worry and defeat, and because they were all going to a new mysterious place, they huddled together; they talked together; they shared their lives, their food, and the things they hoped for in the new country.

– John Steinbeck

The Grapes of Wrath, Chapter 17. When the migrant families are on the road west they discover that they have something in common, a shared struggle. So when darkness falls they join together to help one another, sharing food and hopes for a fresh beginning in the new country. In a simile they are likened to bugs as they scuttle westward by day and cluster near to shelter and water at night. This is an example of community and unity in action, where migrants working together have a lot more power than if they go it alone.

In the evening a strange thing happened: the twenty families became one family, the children were the children of all. The loss of home became one loss, and the golden time in the West was one dream.

– John Steinbeck

The Grapes of Wrath, Chapter 17. This passage shows how migrant families during their time of misfortune can bond together to form one bigger and stronger family. Different families, though not related, reach out to one another and through adversity forge new bonds. By day they are individual families, but at night a wonderful metamorphosis takes place and they are reborn into a collective. They are now one community helping one another achieve the shared dream of a "golden time" in California.

"I ain’t a-gonna do it," Wilson said. "I’ll git mean if you try."
Ma took the two bills from Pa’s hand. She folded them neatly and put them on the ground and placed the pork pan over them. "That’s where they’ll be," she said. "If you don’ get ’em, somebody else will."

– John Steinbeck

The Grapes of Wrath, Chapter 18. Before the Joads continue their journey and leave the Wilsons behind, the Joads generously offer them two dollar bills from their small savings and some pork and potatoes. Ivy Wilson refuses a number of times. But Ma Joad places the gift outside the Wilsons’ tent and the Joads depart.

"I was afraid we wouldn’ get acrost," she said. "I tol’ Granma we couldn’ he’p her. The fambly had ta get acrost. I tol’ her, tol’ her when she was a-dyin’. We couldn’ stop in the desert. There was the young ones – an’ Rosasharn’s baby. I tol’ her." She put up her hands and covered her face for a moment. "She can get buried in a nice green place," Ma said softly. "Trees aroun’ an’ a nice place. She got to lay her head down in California."
The family looked at Ma with a little terror at her strength.

– John Steinbeck

The Grapes of Wrath, Chapter 18. Ma Joad reveals to the family that Granma died earlier and she sat with her body through the night while they crossed the desert. Granma was dead when stopped by border guards at an agricultural checkpoint, Ma says. She admits lying to the guards that Granma was very ill and needed a doctor. But her lie was for the greater good, so that the Joads could continue their journey across the desert. This passage shows Ma’s great strength and powerful instinct for survival. It shows the individual’s willingness to sacrifice themselves for the sake of the family. For Granma knew she was dying and beyond help and went along with Ma’s plan. Ma also demonstrates her tender side when she speaks about Granma being buried with dignity amid the lush green beauty and trees of California.

Our people are good people; our people are kind people. Pray God some day kind people won’t all be poor. Pray God some day a kid can eat.
And the association of owners knew that some day the praying would stop.
And there’s the end.

– John Steinbeck

The Grapes of Wrath, Chapter 19. Steinbeck believes that when disspossessed migrant families stop praying to God for sufficient food for their children, they will rise up against the landowners. He thinks that revolution is inevitable. He also criticizes the lack of kindness among the rich class, as a migrant expresses hope that one day "kind people won’t all be poor." The author also seems to take a swipe at organized religion, when he suggests that justice for the dispossessed will only happen after the praying stops.

"I can’t send ’em away," she said. "I don’t know what to do. Take your plates an’ go inside. I’ll let ’em have what’s lef’. Here, take a plate in to Rosasharn." She smiled up at the children.

– John Steinbeck

The Grapes of Wrath, Chapter 20. Ma Joad shows that she is generous to a fault, when she learns that some children in the migrant camp have had no breakfast. After serving her family with small portions of stew on tin plates, she saves the rest for the hungry children. In sharing the Joads’ meagre resources, Ma acts as mother to all the children. This is in keeping with the idea of community responsibility and Emerson’s "Over-Soul."

"S’pose you was cookin’ a stew an’ a bunch of little fellas stood aroun’ moonin’, what’d you do? We didn’t have enough, but you can’t keep it when they look at ya like that."

– John Steinbeck

The Grapes of Wrath, Chapter 20. Ma Joad says this to a woman who berates her for feeding stew to her children. The woman’s little boy came into her smelling of stew and asking why they didn’t have stew. But Ma believes that we have a responsibility to the wider community, where those who have food share with those who don’t.
    • 1
    • 2
Close