The Grapes Of Wrath Character Analysis

The great depression a dark time in the United States history this took place during 1929-1939 it is said that around 14 million americans were unemployed and almost half of the banks had failed. No one can really explain how this time period was or the frustration and anger of that would come with the situation, how many would feel after losing so much but John Steinbeck comes close. In John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath he shows the journey of one family. Throughout the book the reader can see the journey of the characters as they go through the course of the book. Throughout the book the characters are in one way or another affected by the their surroundings, who they 're surrounded by and what class/culture they are surrounded by as

During the novel The Grapes of Wrath Tom Joad is affected greatly by those around him. Starting with his mother, Ma plays a huge part in who Tom becomes not only is it common sense that the mother of a person will leave a huge impact in the person they are or are to become she affects him throughout the whole novel. Ma affects Tom by not leaving him behind even when it would have been more convenient. For example from the very beginning of the novel the reader and characters know that Tom is on parole so it would be easier for The Joads to leave Tom and spare them some trouble, one less mouth to feed, but Ma will have none of that she is determined to keep them together. This is seen again when Tom kills the Cop and Ma still insisted on keeping the family together even though it 's dangerous. This determination can be seen in Tom when he wants to help the people to, continue Casey 's work. It 's not easy or safe but he’s determined just like his mother. Another Person who has a great influence on Tom is Casey. Casey 's influence is what takes Tom to the people it changes his beliefs. In chapter 28 Tom is thinking about what Casy said before of everyone being part of the same soul and taking care of each other. This as the reader later discovers is what leads Tom to leave and help the people, although the reader doesn 't know what happens to Tom after this point, it can be assumed that

Tom was born into an under educated farm family. Setting up the elements necessary for him to have to go to California. The under educated is shown a bit during the first chapters while both his father and himself are said to know how to write neither of them did, making it so that Tom comes home clueless to what has happened. Tom’s lack of education also reflects in the way he speaks, this is a big impact in who he is and what he can become, speech is a big part in how people show/present themselves to others. Tom is considered an “okie” this makes him have certain problems only an “okie” would have for example the cops being cruel and unjust to them at camps. Being an “okie” was something to which some would be disgraced to be, this is how the cops and citizens of the towns saw it just people trying to take over their jobs and homes. While in reality they wouldn’t have migrated had it not been completely necessary. Plus does being an “okie” make you any less of an american or human being to be treated in such