In Casy's Footsteps

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Recommended: Importance of minor characters in the grapes of wrath

Tom is, as I’m sure every reader should be, heartbroken at Casy’s death. Casy was his only real friend since he left prison, the first person he truly connected with. Tom was so connected to Casy that after the policeman bashed in his head with a pick handle, he went and did the same to his murderer out of hatred, without truly thinking about it. This also reflects just how far Tom is willing to go for his friends and family. Tom begins his journey with Casy as somewhat of a disciple, and in Chapter 28, he tells Ma some of Casy’s final thoughts, about how one man’s soul is just one part of a greater soul, encompassing the whole world. Tom plans on spreading Casy’s preachings to every person he meets in order to keep Casy’s spirit alive and organize the people, because it would have been what he wanted if he had the time to proclaim a dying wish. I predict that in the final chapters, Steinbeck will allude to Tom’s growth and renewal as a better person, going on in spite of all he has lost in order to walk in his friend Casy’s footsteps and share stories of a brighter future with the...

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