I know, Ma. I'm a-tryin'. But them deputies- Did you ever see a deputy that didn't have a fat ass? An' they waggle their ass an' flop their gun aroun'. Ma", he said, "if it was the law they was workin' with, why we could take it. But it ain't the law. They're a-working away at our spirits. They're a-tryin' to make us cringe an' crawl like a whipped bitch. They're tryin' to break us. Why, Jesus Christ, Ma, they comes a time when the on'y way a fella can keep his decency is by takin' a sock at a cop. They're working on our decency"."
In this excerpt from "The Grapes of Wrath," the speaker expresses frustration with the law enforcement deputies who represent authority. He describes them in a derogatory manner, emphasizing their lack of integrity and the way they exert power over others. The speaker feels that these deputies are not serving justice but instead trying to undermine people's spirits and dignity, making them feel small and powerless. This reveals a deep-seated resentment toward the oppressive systems that seek to control and demean individuals.
The speaker implies that there comes a point where maintaining one's decency becomes a struggle against such oppressive forces. He suggests that when faced with constant humiliation and attempts to break one's spirit, defending oneself against authority can seem necessary. This sentiment reflects a larger theme in the novel, illustrating the tension between individual dignity and systemic oppression, and the notion that sometimes, people must resist to preserve their humanity.
