Jim Casy's 'prayer' was more his thoughts on holyness than anything else. Granma was saying things like "Hallelujah" and everyone was waiting for Casy to say Amen. Steinback wrote that this was just because everyone was used to waiting and Granma had just "timed her responses to the pauses".
Does the prayer and how the family acts have symbolism? Does it say something more about Steinback's religious beliefs?
Jim Casy's prayer p.109-111
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8 comments:
Well, when the preacher was getting ready to pray:
"And on the preacher's face there was a look not of prayer, but of thought; and in his tone not supplication, but conjecture" (109). His prayer isn't a prayer, just his thoughts at that moment.
Maybe the Grandma's "Pu-raise Gawd"s are simply a representation of belief in something greater, regardless of difficult circumstances.
I don't think it was actually symbolism. I mean it didn't seem to have a deeper meaning. Know what I mean?
The Grandma's interjections are just habit. The book says she wasn't even listening or thinking about the words. It also talked about her just trying to get a hold of the ecstacy. I think the Grandma's interjections represent the constant presence of religion in their lives even though they're not necessarily focusing on it.
I think the description of Casey's face goes back to the fact that he no longer believes in God. He's thinking, not really praying. And Grandma is an example of their religion. They believe that the more you shout and holler, the more filled with the spirit you are. It's not uncommon.
I think really what Steinbeck is doing is showing us how they live. It's can even be thought of as description of their lives. Grandma worships without even thinking.
i think that whole section represent the fact that even though they are going through hard times, they are still committed and dependent on something bigger and greater than themselves.
about these actions being just a habit, sometimes religion can be just that...it's not always "spirit filled" awesomeness...
I'm not sure, although I agree with cjamesb. Grandma's interjections are probably just habbit. I mean, she's probably heard prayers like Casy's so many times in her life that she could say the prayer herself...It's just a way for her to keep herself entertained, I believe.
sorry, but i'm afraid i disagree with you, jesUSAves. i think the purpose of this passage was actually to expose people's faulty ideas of religion in those days. instead of really relying on and gaining a greater understanding of their religion, ppl were only interested in getting a natural high, which is not always an indicator of the holy spirit. i think this is also why he added all that stuff about "taking girls to the grass," to show that the feeling everyone was so intent on getting was not necessarily from god.
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