Jim Casy's sacrificial act of going to jail for Tom was symbolic of his position as a Christ-figure, a symbolism that is strengthened in this chapter. While in jail, Casy sees the effectiveness of group action and attempts to relate this to Tom in the form of a parable about sour beans. His jail experience brought a full realization of his beliefs and spurred him to carry out these ideals. When Tom finds him, he is doing just that, leading a strike for a living wage. Like Christ, he will be killed to save his people, his dying words ("You don't know what you're a-doin'") paraphrase Jesus' dying words. Prior to his death, he attempts to get Tom to return to the camp and spread word of the strike to the workers. Tom refuses, not yet ready for this discipleship, but after Casy's death and a long period of reflection, he will be able to continue the work that Casy has begun.
Pa's decline and Ma's assumption of the leadership role within the family illustrate the negative inversion of Steinbeck's theme of human dignity as a product of human identity with the land. With Pa unable to provide for his family, he falls into moments of passivity and confusion. At the opening of the chapter, Ma must force the others to confront their situation. The government camp offers safety, but not work or food. Intuitively understanding that Pa needs to be angered in order to find his strength, she uses her impudence to spur him to action. After Tom has killed Casy's murderer, Ma again directs the family to hide Tom and leave the Hooper Ranch. She has no intention of taking over the traditionally masculine role of head of the household. Her only concern is maintaining the wholeness of her family. She longs for the day when they can be safe and together so that she might relinquish the leadership position and return to the traditionally accepted family structure.
