This quote shows Tom's intentions and how he wants to benefit society. The theme of brotherhood is demonstrated by Tom caring about everyone instead of only himself. He wants to work together with all the other migrants to benefit all of them, thus showing brotherhood.
Biblical allusion is also used in the novel to reveal the theme of brotherhood. Jim Casy, an ex-preacher is an archetype for Jesus Christ. They both share the same initials of J.C., standing for Jim Casy and Jesus Christ. Their similarities become much deeper as the novel progresses. Casy and Jesus both saw a common goodness in the average man and viewed every person as holy. When Casy is saying grace in chapter eight, he compares himself to Jesus. He said, "I been in the hills, thinkin', almost you might say like Jesus went into the wilderness to think His way out of a mess of troubles," (109). Casy was beginning to feel bewildered and troubled about his faith, but when he ventures into the wilderness and rediscovers himself, he is a new man with a new-found faith just like Jesus was after he came out of the wilderness and went astray from the Judaic religion. Casy again exemplifies Christ when he tells Tom to escape and hide after Tom trips a deputy. The deputy.
was aiming to shoot Floyd Knowls, arrested on bogus charges. Casy takes all the blame himself for the incident when the rest of the deputies arrive because Tom was on parole and could have been jailed again. This is parallel to when Jesus Christ took the blame for all of mankind's sins. Also, Casy organizes the migrants because the owner cut the workers wages, so Casy leads a strike. Two policemen approach them and Casy protests that the men are only helping to starve children. Then, one of them crushes his skull with a pick handle. Jesus also was a martyr who tried to benefit society and ultimately was killed by being crucified. This develops the theme of brotherhood by showing how Casy is trying to get the people to work together to benefit society.