The famous writer Mark Twain once said, “He who invented the first religion should surely be the first damned.” In John Steinbeck's novel The Grapes of Wrath, the protagonist Jim Casy shares Twain's views on religion. Casy, a former reverend, reunites with Tom Joad, an ex-convict. After losing touch with his religious beliefs, he finds faith in the "Human Spirit". Steinbeck's portrayal of Jim Casy as Jesus Christ serves to reveal the novel's purpose, which is to persuade humans to become self-reliant. The author emphasizes society's moral obligations to serve and help one another, and also extends the idea that humans are capable of becoming their own saviors. Individuals should not depend on a deity to find a solution to the corruption and dishonesty in their society, and should use their abilities to find such answers within themselves. Jim Casy's actions mirror those of Jesus Christ. According to the Bible, Jesus Christ was taken with two other men to be executed. When they came to the Skull, he was crucified. Before his death, he said: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do. » (Bible) Jim Casy's last words reflect Christ's final statement as he dies when his head is crushed during a violent workers' strike. Just before his death, he told police: “You don’t know what you’re doing. You are helping children die of starvation. » (386) This statement by Casy shows that he represents Jesus Christ in the novel, but it also shows Steinbeck's support for transcendentalism. The words "you guys" have a very didactic tone, showing that he finds himself with some power allowing him to judge the men's actions. However, Christ... middle of paper ... corruption and conflicts that exist in society. The allusion to Jim Casy as Jesus Christ serves the purpose of the novel, which is to encourage society to become self-dependent, rather than relying on a religion for guidance and solutions. The author emphasizes the true abilities of each individual to destroy the corrupt aspects of society. Jesus Christ was a preacher encouraging people to follow religion, while Casy became an advocate of relying on humanity. Both remain passionate about two opposing beliefs, but their actions remain similar. This correlation supports the concept of autonomy. Individuals have the ability to solve their own problems and demolish the corrupt structure of society, instead of demanding such solutions and answers. In fact, it is this trust in God that prevents the end of humanity's problems..