Essay On Tom Joad In The Grapes Of Wrath

The Dust Bowl that occurred in the 1930’s along with the Great Depression was one of the lowest times in American history. The novel, The Grapes of Wrath written by John Steinbeck, takes place during this time period. The Grapes of Wrath is told from the perspective of the Joads, who are coerced to leave their home and farm in Oklahoma. The novel documents their journey traveling from Oklahoma to California. The protagonist in this novel, Tom Joad, is first introduced in Chapter 2 when he has to hitch a ride with a truck driver in order to return to his family. From the moment Tom was introduced till the last time he occurs in the novel, one should notice a significant change in his actions and behaviors. Tom Joad goes through a journey of self-change, which in the end turns him into a better person than he was before.
At the beginning of the novel, Tom Joad is
One person in particular that plays an important role in affecting his life positively is Jim Casy. Casy influences Tom in various ways, but the most significant way is how Tom views life. “’Maybe all men got one big soul ever’ body’s a part of’. Now I sat there thinkin’ it, an’ all of a suddent-I knew it. I knew it so deep down that it was true, and I still know it’” (Steinbeck, 32-33). Casy comes to the realization that everybody plays an important role in the world and it takes more than just one person to create change. His interpretation will later play a vital role in shaping the man Tom becomes. The murderer of Jim Casy is an example of someone who negatively affects Tom. Because Tom kills Casy’s murderer after Casy dies, Tom is forced to go into hiding. Although he has to hide and stay away from his family, the hiding turns into a moment of realization. During his hiding, Tom reflects upon Jim Casy’s interpretation of life. Eventually, Tom comes to the realization that he has to finish what Casy