Steinbeck's characterization of Jim Casy in The Grapes of Wrath stems from Emersonian thought, as expressed in Emerson's essay "The Over-Soul ". Jim Casy forms beliefs based on the ideas presented in this article, as evidenced by his action to stop preaching and his understanding that educating others by lecturing them is futile. This enlightened leader learns to interact with his soul and recognize the presence of a spirit greater than man himself. The presence of Emeron's ideas is still present in the novel, as Casy is able to convey these concepts to Tom Joad before his death, symbolizing the universality of "The Over-Soul". Say no to plagiarism. Get Custom Essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”?Get Original Essay “The Over-Soul” inspired Steinbeck to create the intellectual Jim Casy, the most enlightened character featured in the novel . When Casy is first introduced to readers, his journey toward discovering his own soul has already begun. When, upon returning from prison, Tom Joad recognizes Casy as the pastor who baptized him, Casy immediately corrects him by saying, "I was a pastor...I didn't get any more calls." I have a lot of sinful ideas – but they seem pretty sensible. (20). This statement is the epitome of Casy's transformation as a character. He disconnects from God and reconnects with his own soul, then with man himself. As the novel continues, Casy realizes that preaching brings no value to the common man. On the contrary, true truth, taught by the universal spirit, can only be learned through moral action. This is a key concept in Emerson's "The Over-Soul." Here, Emerson states, "the action of the soul lies more often in what is felt and unsaid." The importance of inner acceptance is emphasized here. Both authors emphasize the idea that true growth and learning comes from within. Casy begins to understand that preaching is the exact opposite of this truth. By listening to his own soul, rather than the lessons others try to teach him, he will learn to do what is right. The Grapes of Wrath also shows traces of the "higher soul" through Casy's explanation that man is part of something greater. that he himself: “[Perhaps] it is all the men and all the women that we love; maybe that's the Holy Spirit -- the human spirit -- all that stuff. Perhaps all men have a great soul of which the whole body is a part. (24). Once he realizes this, Casy begins to lead by example. He forms a union to show others that one man is not as important as the entire society. He urges many to join him in preventing further exploitation of the Okies, to avoid further harm to the proclaimed Holy Spirit that contains every member of society. Although man may work to feed himself and his family, he ultimately harms the rest. of humanity by doing so. In other words, by working for less, it promotes the rapid exchange of workers on a field, the simple act of hiring those who agree to work for almost free wages. By accepting this job offer, the man leaves millions of others of his kind to suffer and die, jobless and without food. Casy justifies that this approach is immoral; man must defend his fellow men. By being part of the “Holy Spirit” (24), man is indeed obliged to do so. The idea that man is only a small fragment of a whole that constitutes the world as a whole is.