The character of Casey in The Grapes of WrathJohn Steinbeck passionately describes a time of unjust poverty, unity, and growth of the human spirit in the classic novel, L the grapes of wrath. The novel tells of real, diverse characters who experience growth through turmoil and hardship. Jim Casy, a favorite character, is a former preacher who meets a former worshiper, Tom Joad. Casy continues a relationship with Tom and the rest of the Joads as they embark on a trip to California with the hope of prosperity. Casy represents how life's many situations impact humans' ever-evolving souls and inner quest to discover one's true identity and beliefs. Casy, however, was far more complex than the average individual. His unprejudiced, unified, Christ-like existence twists and turns with every mental and foreign disagreement. Jim Casy is an interesting and complicated man. He can be seen as a modern Christ figure, except without the faith typically manifested in the Christian faith. The initials of his name, JC, are the same as those of Jesus Christ. Just as Jesus was exalted by many for what he stood for and should have been, Casy was acclaimed and respected by many simply for being a preacher. Casy and Jesus both saw a common goodness in the average man and considered every person holy. Both Christ and Casy had to face the struggle between their ideals and the real world. Despite Casy's honesty, kindness, and loyalty to all men, he would not earn a meal or a warm place to stay. Although Jesus had many followers, still others opposed his preaching to the end. These prophets attempted to free man from the worries of the world and create a high spiritualism that derived joy from misery. All migrants found pleasure in their journeys and maintained hope and spirit throughout the journey. Thanks to Jesus, the saddest and most boring existence had a glimpse of Paradise. Casy once remarked, "I have to see the people who have been walking around." I have to feel that I have to see them. They will need the help that no sermon can give them. Hope of heaven when their lives are not lived? Holy Spirit when their spirit is downcast and sad?" (page #) Casy wanted to reach others despite his problems. He wanted to give them spirit; hope and he wanted to rejuvenate their souls.