Motif of Selflessness (Chapters 11-15 Assignment G)

To highlight how capitalism, which forces people to become greedy and only think about themselves, is really detrimental to society, Steinbeck presents the reader with multiple instances where acts of selflessness help everyone involved. On a larger scale, the large corporations, especially the banks, work for the sole purpose of amassing wealth. This benefits the few people lucky enough to hold high positions in the corporations, but at the cost of many more people being impoverished. On a smaller personal scale, which is most prevalent in The Grapes of Wrath, people do best when they think as a whole community instead of themselves.

For example, chapter 14 is from the point of view of travelers who all need things that other travelers have. One kind-hearted act is described: "The night draws down. The baby has a cold. Here, take this blanket. It's wool. It was my mother's blanket--take if for the baby. This is the thing to bomb. This is the beginning--from 'I' to 'we'" (152). In the harsh conditions on the road, the migrants have to lose the idea that they can make it on their own if they want to survive. Even very personal belongings, like the mother's blanket, have to be given up for the greater good. Steinbeck's overall message here is that the most prosperous society comes from a community that shares everything. When trying to overcome a problem, the "I" mentality of oneself first needs to develop into the "we" mentality that leads to success for everyone.

In the next chapter, a similar theme of selflessness arises, but it holds a different message. When a homeless father with no money comes into a cafe begging for cheap bread, the waitress, Mae, initially refuses. However, her boss, Al changes her mind. "The man put his hat back on his head. He answered with inflexible humility, 'Won't you--can't you see your way to cut off ten cents' worth?' Al said snaringly, 'Goddamn it, Mae. Give 'em a loaf'" (160). After she gave food away for a better deal to someone in need, other men sitting in the cafe noticed and decided to show their appreciation by leaving a very large tip. In this case, Steinbeck suggests that acting selflessly not only helps everyone else, but the charitable person also benefits greatly.