Grapes Of Wrath Movie Essay

The Great Tom Joad

(A detailed analysis of why Tom Joad is the best character from the Grapes of Wrath Film) The 1930’s, a time in American history not to be forgotten for its eventful hardships now known as the Great Depression. It was during this time that the United States was at its all time low economically in years, and much of the American people were beginning to feel the pain of such issues. In addition to being financially unstable the U.S was also undergoing a great weather disaster soon to be known as the Dust Bowl. A time in American history where the farms of the west from, North Dakota, to Texas and Oklahoma were destroyed due to topsoil being blown away from over harvesting of the ground. It was during this time period

This need to turn framing into a business like scenario came from the introduction of tractor and machine powered equipment that could do the work much faster than the ordinary man could, thus meaning increased production if the business owned and worked the land as compared to the family farmer. It is during this time period that one of America's most famous books is set in, The Grapes of Wrath, by John Steinbeck (1902-1968). The book quickly became popular and in 1940 the book became a movie. The movie was a wonderful recreation of the book and brought some of the books most famous characters into reality. Hidden within the book are a multitude of different characters as the plot of the story follows a family living in Oklahoma during the 1930’s. The oldest son Tom Joad has just been released from prison on account of murder, and upon returning home finds his family home deserted. He quickly learns his family was forced off their land by a company and a bank. The family moved in with Tom’s, Uncle John’s home. Upon arrival he realizes the Family is leaving the California where work is promised according to flyers, and is where the rest of the farmers have already gone. The story then follows the family's journey to

After killing the man Tom and his family sneak out of the peach farm and find their way to a government funded safe haven; filled with running water and toilet, sinks, and stoves the camp is everything the family could imagine. However soon work must be found elsewhere to survive. It is during this time that Tom decides he has caused his family enough trouble and knows he must now leave. He explains to his ma that he will spend the rest of his life fulfilling Casey’s dream of helping the workers fight the employers. Tom will then give his famous I will be there speech, which Tom explains how every strike there is, ever dark his family finds, avery fight, every everything he will be there. He tells his family not to worry about for he will be there with them spiritually. Tom knows he must leaves he knows his family has suffered enough from him, and once again Tom shows the audience he is bigger than the situation. Tom eventually leaves to his and his ma’s despair, but he does what's right and he knows it was the right thing to be done. In the end Tom shows the audience again his loving care for more than just himself. Tom knows if he stays with his family his life will be easy, but his family will suffer; Tom shoes he is the bigger man by leaving. He may suffer, but at least his family