Theme of Pride

Ch. 1-10, Assignment F

In the first few chapters of The Grapes of Wrath , the theme of pride is shown through various characters. So far, the characters that have pride have been males. Even though the men and their families are going through a time of extreme hardship, the men maintain the same level of pride for how they live and do not ask for help no matter what.
Muley Graves, a long time friend of the Joad family is an example of a man who is full of pride and who no matter what occurs, holds on to it:


"If on'y they didn' tell me I got to get off, why, I'd, prob'ly be in California right now a-eatin' grapes an a-pickin' an orange when I wanted. But them sons-a-bitches says I got to get off-an’, Jesus Christ, a man can't, when he's tol' to!" (37).


"There ain't nobody gonna push me of my land! My grandpa took up this land 70 years ago, my pa was born here, we were all born on it. And some of of us was killed on it! ...and some of us died on it. That's what make it our'n, bein' born on it,...and workin' on it,...and and dying' on it! And not no piece of paper with the writin' on it! "


Muley clearly cares about the land, but moreover, Muley takes pride in what he has invested in his land. He truly believes that the land belongs to the farmers, and hatingly explains that it should not belong to the bank. Muley's pride is what makes him stay where he is. He will not allow the bank to just take away his land. Even though Muley must often hide from the landowners, he creates mischief whenever he can and tries his best to make the lives of the new landowners difficult. He also informs Tom that he will continue to stay on his land to the bitter end no matter what might happen to him as a result. Graves as well tells Tom that if they had told him not to leave, he would most likely have been in California picking oranges, but he has far too much pride to leave. Even when Muley's family chooses to go out west to California, Muley is too proud too follow them.