P3+MParsons

4-19-08 mparsons

__**//Grapes of Wrath// Synthesis Essay**__

An individual judges right from wrong based on the way they were raised and also based upon the morals that had been instigated upon them when they were young. The society in which they were raised has an effect upon the person as well. It is the individual’s role to use this knowledge to confront the injustices that they see in their communities and they must be able to differentiate between right and wrong to do this. However, the line between the two becomes blurred when the individual’s survival comes into play. People begin to commit acts that they believe to be appropriate and right when really they are unjust and harmful to others. This concept is especially visible in the novel //Grapes of Wrath// by Steinbeck and can be supported by the essays “Dumpster Diving” by Lars Eighner, “Homeless” by Anna Quindlen, and “The Ways We Lie” by Stephanie Ericsson.

Though the individual is equipped with the ability to differentiate between right and wrong, when the question of survival comes into play, a person’s notion of what is right becomes perverted. A person may actually commit an act that is wrong, by the definition of friends and peers, in an effort to survive, which is what the individual considers to be correct and right. In //Grapes of Wrath//, the farmers and their land are failing. Eventually, the land-leasers are forced to kick the tenants off of their property and the leasers had to “take the cotton quick before the land died” (Ch. 5, GOW) completely, in a last effort for at least themselves to survive. The leasers did what they believed to be right in order to continue providing for themselves and their families, even though it was at the expense of others. After the tenants were removed from the land, tractors would plow through and destroy any previous remnants from the farms. The drivers of the tractors were desperate for work and had no other choice than to take the job, destroying the houses of their friends and families. The farmers viewed the tractor drivers as traitors to their own kind and even the drivers knew what they were doing was morally wrong. Usually he would become “contemptuous of the land and of himself,” (Ch. 11, GOW) yet they found it necessary for their survival to aid in the destruction of the land and it’s people. The drivers believed this to be the right thing to do as it was enabling them to create an income for themselves and their families. They were willing to resort to any means necessary for survival. In our current society, the homeless are forced to do anything in order to survive. They are often forced to “extract… the necessities of daily life… from dumpsters” (“Dumpster Diving”) The homeless rummage through trash and filth in order to eat, which is seen by most of society as dirty, disgusting and almost immoral. The same people are forced to “sleep sitting up on benches or huddled in doorways.” (“Homeless”) These people are often looked down upon by the rest of society for using these means to survive, much like how the tractor drivers and the land leasers were viewed by the farmers.

Not only do individuals betray others in order to survive, but they also abuse and exploit them. In the novel //Grapes of Wrath//, the farmers look to purchase a vehicle that will take them to the west, where they believe they will be able to prosper. The car salesmen take full advantage of the farmers’ desperation and would often lie and cheat the consumer into paying a lot of money for an extremely unreliable car, believing there to “be some merit to lying.” (“The Ways We Lie”) They become something almost inhumane, ridding themselves of any compassion and becoming “neat, deadly, small intent eyes watching for weakness.” (Ch. 7, GOW) These salesmen appear to be harsh and heartless creatures in the novel; however, they are just attempting to survive. In order to do what they believe is right, which was creating sustenance for themselves and their families, they must take advantage of others, which is clearly wrong. The salesmen’s view appears to be distorted, as they do not see what they are doing as bad, but necessary. In similarity to the salesmen, the American employers in the novel began exploiting their immigrant workers for personal profit. The immigrants were often living in American illegally and could be coerced by the employer to work for extremely low wages. The employer had complete control over them and the general attitude of these Americans towards the immigrants was that “if the workers get funny- deport them.” (Ch. 19, GOW) An immigrant was considered “funny” if they began to question their low wages and long work hours. With this system, they were never able to create any gains for themselves. The employer was able to get away with this kind of treatment, as jobs were incredibly scarce. “When there was work for a man, ten men fought for it.” (Ch. 21, GOW) This system appears horribly unfair to the workers and extremely selfish of the employer, but in actuality, the employer was often in the same situation as his workers. They were just trying to survive and were only doing what they believed to be appropriate and right for the situation. In order to maintain a lifestyle and to survive in the world, the employer was forced to take advantage of the workers and abuse them for self- preservation.

Each individual is equipped throughout their lives with the ability to differentiate between right and wrong. However, when their own survival comes into play, the individual’s perception of what is right and wrong is altered and they choose based on a different set of morals. They choose whatever is necessary for their survival and in making this choice, they believe they are making the right decision, even if it comes at the expense and harm of others.