P3+AAguilar

April 15, 2008


 * __Grapes of Wrath Unit Synthesis Essay__**

Humans throughout the civilized world have always had some sense of morality, accompanied with obligations, due to such conscious knowledge. An individual uses one’s worldview, and sense of morality to decipher between right and wrong; therefore they are obligated to act on such righteousness. Although individuals typically try to justify their actions in order to maintain a piece of mind, it is vital that one strives to obtain justice to the greatest extent possible given their circumstances. With almost any given situation, there are a means for justification, and exceptions to moral code. But, as long as injustice is not tolerated unreasonably, an individual can still be considered a moral being. In Steinbeck’s novel Grapes of Wrath, Thoreau’s work Civil Disobedience (Part 2 and 3), and Ericson’s essay “The Ways We Lie”, it is apparent that people have a will to carryout their idea of what is moral, and will typically confront injustice when it does not have an overwhelmingly detrimental outcome.

One’s worldview and sense of morality is vital to their resulting actions in a particular situation. Individuals have a unique outlook on life based on their upbringing and life experience. People’s worldview helps them to decide what morality really is, and therefore another may perceive what might be seen as right to one person, as terribly wrong. For instance, Thoreau believes that a citizen can still be moral and not abide by the rules of society, and although there are consequences for such rebellious actions, one is freer in jail if they do what is right for themselves. (Civil Disobedience-Part 2) Many may feel that Thoreau is a rebel without a cause, but he is entitled to have his own beliefs. If he truly feels that this is the right thing to do, then who is to say he is wrong? Someone else may not feel like his choice is the right, but everyone is entitled to their own beliefs. “You do not resist cold and hunger, the winds and waves, thus obstinately; you quietly submit to a thousand similar necessities. You do not put your head in the fire.” (Civil Disobedience-Part 3) Often times people will try to persuade others to change their views, which can inturn influence others’ worldviews, but that is human nature. "The women knew it was all right, and the watching children knew it was all right. Women and children knew deep in themselves that no misfortune was too great to bear if their men were whole."- (Grapes of Wrath- Chapter 1: Page 3) Often times morality, and what is considered to be right, comes from faith. Faith is what gets people through the toughest of times, and in-turn makes a person stronger as an individual. In any case, it is vital that one does what is right for themselves in a particular situation, and makes decisions that are as moral as, possible given the circumstances. Individuals usually attempt to fulfill a moral life, through whatever they perceive that to be; but doing what one know is right is not always easily obtained.

For almost every situation where one goes against their worldview justification is used. Given particular circumstances, people may often have to do what they would typically consider to be morally wrong, in order to survive; therefore making it acceptable. “They splashed out through the water, to the towns, to the country stores, to the relief offices, to beg for food, to cringe and beg for food, to beg for relief, to try to steal, to lie. And under the begging, and under the cringing, a hopeless anger began to smolder.” (Grapes of Wrath-Chapter 29: Page 433) The people mentioned in this excerpt are committing the common moral wrongs of stealing and lying, but few would consider these things to be sinful in this case because they are clearly necessary. People tend to do what they have to in order to get by, and humans tend to dismiss these moral wrongs through justification. Similar to justification, is lying. “It’s a powerful lying tool because it filters out information that contradicts what we want to believe.”(“The Ways We Lie”) Ericson describes lying as an immoral way to make one feel morally right. In some cases lying is justifiable, but sometimes it is a stretch. “I once tried going a whole week without telling a lie, and it was paralyzing. I discovered that telling the truth all the time is nearly impossible. It means living with some serious consequences: The bank charges me $60 in overdraft fees, my partner keels over when I tell him about my travails, my client fires me for telling her I didn’t feel like being on time, and my friend takes it personally when I say I’m not hungry. There must be some merit to lying.” (“The Ways We Lie”) It is clear that doing what is considered to be right is a lot more difficult than twisting, and justifying, what is truly moral. With everything one does there are consequences, and to have a guilty conscience, in some cases, may actually be the best alternative; after all, it is not very moral to hurt someones feelings when it is preventable. Sometimes people have to do things that are usually considered bad from time to time, and that is okay as long as there is a good reason for such actions and it doesn’t happen all the time. By knowing what is truly right, individuals not only have the obligation to do what is right for themselves, but also for others.

Justification and exceptions to moral code are acceptable in certain circumstances, but toleration of injustice without probable cause goes against not only an individual’s moral obligation to themselves, but also their moral obligation to others. As a moral being one has to be confrontational when dealing with injustice. Often time’s humanity will set in, and by nature humans tend to emotionally connect to those around them, causing them to act in moral ways. “The baby has a cold. Here, take this blanket. It’s wool. It was my mother’s blanket-take it for the baby.” (Grapes of Wrath-Chapter 14: Page 152) If a loss is not huge, an individual will tend to feel obligated to take action when others are in need. Throughout Steinbeck’s novel, he tells of the ways in which people help each other, and how even if a person is poor, they will typically help those who are worse. Unfortunately, people are not always moral, and over the years justification warped the perception of many Americans, in this case, through racism and oppression. “They imported slaves, although they did not call them slaves: Chinese, Japanese, Mexicans, Filipinos. They live on rice and beans, the businessmen said. They don’t need much. They wouldn’t know what to do with good wages. Why, look how they live. Why, look what they eat. And if they get funny deport them.” (Grapes of Wrath-Chapter 19: Page 231) Steinbeck provides a clear vision of how distorted and ignorant Americans’ views were, due to social code. Just because everyone else believed that people of color were lesser beings did not make it just. Several people were aware of the injustice these people of race faced, but instead of standing up and doing something about it, they just sat back and watched in fear of public opinion. When knowledgeable moral beings’ act in such passive ways morality is weakened, because tolerating injustice is almost as much of a crime as the crime itself; however humans are bound to make mistakes and poor choices one time or another, and unless abused, this is permissible. "Every night a world created, complete with furniture-friends made and enemies established…and every morning the world was torn down like a circus." (Grapes of Wrath-Chapter 17: Page 194) Although Steinbeck’s words do not demonstrate injustice parse, they describe the nature of humanity in general, and its imperfection. Human’s are animals, and as animals they are in constant competition to survive, and, therefore, do not always get along. It is acceptable for individuals to carry out such behaviors, and demonstrate such imperfections because nobody is ever completely moral; part of humanity is immorality. As long as one strives to fulfill what is right based on their worldview, they are as moral as any being.

Individuals have the responsibility to fulfill moral obligations based on personal beliefs. Not only does society have an obligation to do what is best for individual, but also to others in society as well. As humans, members of society tend to do what is easiest, and try to justify wrongdoings, which is okay as long as it does not become a habit. As long as one strives to be a moral being to the best of their ability, they have accomplished morality.