Anjana+Pathiranage

 Individual's role in confronting injustice

An individual's role in confronting injustice is to unify together towards a common cause and individually fulfill their part in society to overcome any obstacle. An individual judges right from wrong using his own moral ethics and principles. As indicated by the Joad family in John Steinbeck’s The //Grapes of Wrath//, it is essential for an individual to come together, as the strength in numbers would give him a sense of authority in society and thus help in overcoming injustice. Also as portrayed in Thoreau’s //Civil Disobedience,// in order for an individual to confront injustice he should first be fully conscious about the injustice he is faced with then use his own principles and standards to combat it. An individual consider whether an action is right or wrong based on their own beliefs, which in this novel is influenced by the social standards and the boundaries or commandments in society.

Individual's need to satisfy his desires, could eventually lead him to join forces with others who have been victimized by the same circumstances. For example, the migrant's harsh living conditions and their mistreatment would further unify each individual together due to the similarities and conditions of the injustices they have faced. "Man, unlike any other thing organic or inorganic in the universe, grows beyond his work, walks up the stairs of his concepts, emerges ahead of his accomplishments." (pg 150) This shows that there is a possibility for bringing about change and reorganization of society in this unity. Through that it implies how the concern for one’s morality is being assumed into the concern for universal good. Steinbeck also points out how these great owners are blind sighted by their own self-indulgence or greed. Therefore they sense that change is pending and they are nervous about the results. "Fear the time when the strikes stop while the great owners live - for every little beaten strike is proof that the step is being taken … fear the time when Manself will not suffer and die for a concept, for this one quality is the foundation of Manself, and this one quality is man, distinctive in the universe." (pg 151) Moral standards of innocent individuals, such as farmers in this case are being ridiculed as they meet people like the ravenousness land owners, who do not pursue a code of morals in their path to success. Therefore an individual should first be fully aware of the conditions of the situation at hand, and then only he would be able to defeat the greed of the great owners, and thus overcome injustice.

Man requires to live and work for a purpose, whether it’s for money, family, food etc. Any man with these needs of succeeding that is taken away will be willing to fight. Individuals would blame on the government and the high taxes. These individuals take matters into their own hands by protesting to the landowners. John Steinbeck points out how the government makes it harsh for these individuals by taking actions which are insensitive and callous towards them. “These goddamned Okies are theives. They'll steal anything. They've got no sense of property rights."(283) Another example from chapter 21 in //The// //Grapes of Wrath// is how big businesses failed to judge right from wrong due to their self-indulgent attitude towards lower and working class people like the migrants or the farmers. Such businesses do not portray any human civility and they would only take advantage of innocent individuals to succeed or gain immense amounts of profit.

In chapter 14, Steinbeck discusses the reaction of the western states to revolutionary changes to take place in the nation. Landowners especially, are unfamiliar with these changes and they attempt to accuse changes like, the development of labor unions, imposing taxes and expansion of government; they misinterpret these developments in politics and economy as the causes not the results of change. An individual’s struggle to achieve its goals demonstrates that, its courage and determination is still alive. Hence an individual should dread a time when mankind will no longer suffer or struggle, then die for a concept. John Steinbeck also depicts the emotional struggles of the migrants' and their harsh living conditions. "The quality of owning freezes you forever into 'I,' and cuts you off forever from the 'we.'" (pg 152) Their struggles however brought them closer together, thus unifying as one group to fight for justice and individual good.

In Thoreau’s //Civil Disobedience//, he describes how he confronted injustice against a government ruled by the masses. In his opinion, a government dictated by a majority should not have the authority to rule others. This illustrates how Thoreau is overwhelmed by the unfair deeds of governments since the system is established by the masses. "But a government in which the majority rules in all cases cannot be based on justice, even as far as men understand it." (Thoreau: Civil Disobedience) Thoreau’s decision to disregard the payment of taxes shows his willingness to alter his own life style regardless of its effects by the law, for the purpose of confronting injustice. He further encourages others not to obey the laws of corrupted government and detach themselves from such a government.

Therefore an individual must first be familiar with and comprehend a particular injustice in order for the entire infrastructure to bring changes to the tensions between different classes of people in society. Both John Steinbeck’s //The Grapes of Wrath// and Thoreau’s //Civil Disobedience// demonstrates how an individual’s role in confronting injustice is to unify together towards a common cause and individually fulfill their part in society to overcome any obstacle. An individual determine right from wrong by using his own moral ethics and principles or may give in to the teachings and the beliefs of other higher authorities as mentioned in the novel.

 Works cited

• John, Steinbeck, Grapes of wrath. New York: Penguin Books, 2002.

• GrapesofWrath-NatureofMan » home. 29 Mar. 2009 .

• "Thoreau's Civil Disobedience - with annotated text." The Thoreau Reader. 30 Mar. 2009 

• "Historical Representations of American Democracy through Literature and Film." Yale National Initiative. 29 Mar. 2009 .