Tom Joad Character Analysis - 946 Words

â€Å"Ill be all around in the dark. Ill be everywhere. Wherever you can look—wherever theres a fight so hungry people can eat, Ill be there,† a quote said by Tom Joad from John Steinbeck’s novel Grapes of Wrath. Written during the great depression, John Steinbeck depicts a Oklahoma family traveling to California for work after losing their farm. The main character Tom Joad is first seen as caring only for himself and his family. By the ending the novel Tom has grown from caring about himself to caring and seeing the whole world as his family. Tom Joad from the beginning of the novel can be seen as a very introverted character who seems to only be worried about his family and himself. In the second chapter we see Tom for the first time†¦show more content†¦This shows the reader that Tom still believes in his own violent system of justice. Instead of coming up with a peaceful way to leave, Tom immediately thinks of a violent way to stop the police even if it might lead to him going to jail. Tom until the near end of the novel is a very violent and careless person. After meeting Jim Casy and traveling to California with his family, Tom starts to change his idea of see others and the world. Well walking to his father’s house, Tom encounters Jim Casy a former preacher he knew. Tom takes a break and they catch up with what is going on with their lives. This is one of the first examples of how Tom is starting to be more social after being in prison for four years. During their talk Casy gives Tom the idea that,†Maybe all men got one big soul everbodys a part of.†(Steinbeck 33) Casy tries to explain to Tom that he believes that everyone in the world are just one big family. This simple idea later makes Tom leave his family so he can go help others in need. Without meeting Casy Tom wouldn’t of become the man we see at the end of the novel. Another example of Tom changing as a character is in chapter 16 where he me ets a one eyed mechanic. Tom feels bad for the guy and decides toShow MoreRelatedEssay about The Grapes of Wrath - Lifestyle in the 1930s1164 Words   |  5 Pagesmain characters of the novel. The novel begins as the main character, Tom Joad, is released from an Oklahoma state prison after serving four years for killing a man. He makes his way back to his family?s farm and meets Jim Casy, a former preacher who is not preaching anymore. He goes with Tom to his home and finds out that it deserted. Muley Graves, an old neighbor, tells that everyone has been expelled off the land. The next day, Tom and Jim go to Uncle Jones place. When they arrive, Tom findsRead MoreThe Grapes of Wrath: The Role of Ma Joad1252 Words   |  6 Pagestrue character in those around us. Those who are strong are divided from the weak and the followers divide from the leaders. In the novel, The Grapes of Wrath, author John Steinbeck presents the character Ma Joad who serves an important role as the rock that keeps the family together. The Joad family, apart from many families in Oklahoma, is forced to leave their homes in search of work and better opportunities; California not only leaves them in poverty but despair. But through it all Ma Joad isRead MoreTheme Of The Grapes Of Wrath By John Steinbeck723 Words   |  3 Pages The Grapes of Wrath Analysis The Grapes of Wrath, written by John Steinbeck, is a novel which demonstrates the lives of families during the Dust Bowl migration of the 1930s and the struggles they faced on their route to California. Throughout the novel, Steinbeck applies his writing style in order to convey the theme and general plot of the novel. To begin, Steinbeck incorporated an informal use of language in this novel. This can be seen through the colloquialism and slang used in theRead MoreBlack Boy And The Grapes Of Wrath Analysis1728 Words   |  7 Pagesnarrative, which is visible through reflection and multiple readings. Moreover, two of her readings on biblical allusions, counter this paper’s readings: â€Å"Plainly, Steinbeck has made the Joads representative of the American pioneer and, by investing them and their story with biblical elements, has made their characters more universal than they could otherwise have been† (194) and â€Å"Thus, the closing scene, in which Rose of Sharon gives her breasts to save a man dying of starvation†¦ The significance ofRead More Damsels in Distress Essay1617 Words   |  7 Pagesdepression the United States suffered through in the 1930’s, which is the time period in which the book was set. Examining his portrayal of the female characters througho ut the book one sees, the women becoming strong, dominant characters, and family leaders. In The Grapes of Wrath, the actions of Ma Joad are used to portray her as the strongest character. We can see this throughout the book even as early as chapter ten, in this chapter the reader feels sympathy for her having been permanently removedRead MoreGrapes of Wrath5357 Words   |  22 PagesKrystal Giffen The Grapes of Wrath Part 1: Literary Analysis 1. A. â€Å"†¦Ã¢â‚¬ËœWhat’s this call, this sperit?’ An’ I says, ‘It’s love†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (page 23, Chapter 4). This quote is an example of an metaphor. The use of this metaphor was to show the reader why the preacher doesn’t preach anymore. The effect the metaphor had on the reader was, for them to see how the preacher really viewed ‘the sperit’. B. â€Å"One cat’ takes and shoves ten families out. Cat’s all over hell now†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (pg. 8, Chapter 2). This quote isRead MoreGrapes of Wrath Ch.5-8 Theme Analysis1845 Words   |  8 PagesOscar Medina AP Lit Per.1 Mr. Royal February 9, 2012 Grapes of Wrath Ch. 5-8 Analysis Ch.5 Theme: A theme found in this chapter is â€Å"The Monster,† or to be more exact, human control. The Monster is the bank, as it takes the money away from all the people. The bank has a power over the people, as they are desperate just to clear their debt fro m the bank. It is as though it is a monster, forcing the people to do whatever is possible, from stealing to scavenging, just to help with the debt. Some areRead MoreThe Grapes Of Wrath By John Steinbeck1075 Words   |  5 Pagesof Wrath by John Steinbeck, the reader accompanies the Joad family as they struggle to escape the crippling Dust Bowl of the mid- 1930’s. In hopes of establishing a new life for themselves after being forced off their land the family embark on a journey from Oklahoma to California in search of fruitful crops and steady work along with thousands of other families facing the same circumstances. After their migration to a better life, the Joad family’s faith is constantly tested but thei r refusal toRead MoreInterpretations Of The American Dream1718 Words   |  7 Pagesand California. The Joad family in the novel lives for an American Dream, which is to have a secure business and a place to live for good future of their kids. But this dream of Joad family is too tainted by the avarice. The developments of the salesman at the dealership when goods bought the truck at a huge cost and got bad tires, were the result of their utter greed to head for California to make a more serious lifespan. The property owners in California, exploited the Joad family as well as theRead MoreAnalysis Of John Steinbeck s Of Mice And Men 2778 Words   |  12 Pagesis kindness, the family’s greatest strength† which proves to be the Joads’ salvation . The Joads are an Oklahoman family who have lost everything; their land, their possessions, and their home during the Great Depression and Dust Bowl . However, the Joads we able to hold onto their sense of family. The family consisted of Pop , Ma , Grampa, Gramma , Rose of Sharon Joad, Connie, Noah , Uncle John, Ruthie, Winfiel , and Tom Joad. All set on a dangerous and shadow cloaked journey in search of an improved